With regard to the introduction of a ship-owner's fee for having access to the high sea, Member States were rather cautious if it was to be conceived as a unilateral measure, as this could reduce the EU fleets competiveness and consequently the EU's international presence.
Liikmesriikidel oli kõhklusi seoses laevaomanikele maksu kehtestamisega avamerele pääsu eest, sest kui see on kavandatud ühepoolse meetmena, võib see vähendada ELi laevastiku konkurentsivõimet ja selle tulemusel ka ELi rahvusvahelist kohalolu.