Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is concerned with the attempts of the EC to integrate the Member States’ transport sectors since the signing of the Single European Act in 1986. Transport within the EC remains essentially fragmented, having developed differently in the Member States in terms of operation, technology and finance. National transport policies played an important role in the attainment of regional and social goals. The book highlights the weaknesses of the EC rail policy which provides for the separation of the management of the infrastructure from the provision of services. It examines the effectiveness of the EC maritime transport policy in terms of opening up national markets and maintaining ships under European flags in the context of world-wide excess capacity, high manning costs for European companies and the general growth in both protectionism and the use of “flags of convenience”.