Globalization has strengthened the role of the Mediterranean in international maritime transport of goods. However, traffic growth has mainly involved transit flows, while intra-Mediterranean flows now make up less than a quarter of the total. Forecasts for the coming 15 years suggest that this trend is likely to continue, thus limiting Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. Moreover, some activities (especially transshipment) are expected to witness increasing competition between northern and southern ports in the Mediterranean. In light of this reality and the growing presence of Gulf and Asian players in southern port infrastructures, the EU maritime policy towards the Mediterranean will have to be redesigned.