ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

European Union shipping law

The European Union is like a big club that lots of countries joined. They agreed to make some rules together so that they can trade and work together easier. One of the things they agreed on was shipping law which is like the rules for when boats and ships go from one country to another.

So, let's imagine you have a toy boat and you want to take it to your friend's house in another country. You need to follow certain rules to make sure your boat doesn't get lost, hurt anyone or make a mess.

The European Union shipping law has rules that help boats and ships be safe, stay on track and don't harm the environment. They also have rules about what needs to be on the boat, like life jackets and emergency equipment, and rules about how the boat should be built to make sure it can handle rough water.

They also make sure that people who work on the boats, like captains and crew, have been trained and know what to do in an emergency. These rules are important because it keeps everyone safe and makes sure that shipping between different countries is fair and equal.

So, when you see big boats and ships in the water, remember that they have to follow lots of rules to make sure they are safe and don't hurt the environment.