Ninety per cent of the European Union’s external, and 40 per cent of its internal, trade is carried by sea—a proportion that will increase with the Motorways of the Sea project. The author argues for a comprehensive EU approach to maritime strategy at the highest political level, and highlights the important of creating coherent political objectives and strategies to underpin that overall strategy. He argues further for broader consciousness of the vital importance of the sea, not just for Europe, but for mankind.