Growing trade and the globalization of production and consumption have contributed to the increased importance of seaports. Maritime transport of bulk cargo is competitive. The carriage of general cargo is also growing, mainly through the widespread use of containers. A particularly large growth in cargo throughput has taken place in seaports of developing countries. Maritime policy aims at improving the efficiency of sea transport in Europe and the world, while ensuring its long-term competitiveness. This can be achieved by the dissemination of technologies leading to increased productivity, minimizing negative environmental impacts and creating conditions for effective operations and integration of ports in transport chains.