The EU Maritime Regime and Challenges for Land-locked Developing States: Evidence from Ethiopia

EU plays a dominant role in international maritime governance, and it has comprehensive maritime policies and strategies that have implications for third States. On the other hand, developing landlocked States (LLS) have the lowest bargaining power in the international maritime arena owing to their economic and geographic position. This article examines the implications of the EU maritime policy for developing LLS.  After analysis of primary and secondary data as well as empirical evidence from Ethiopia, it is argued that the EU maritime governance such as its port State control regime and maritime market access regulations could possibly make international maritime trade through the EU waters as well as global maritime trade unaffordable for developing LLS. In view of the inherent challenges encountered by developing LLS and the economic interest of these States, it is submitted that there is a need to accord differential treatment schemes in the maritime field to these States at global as well as at the EU level.