De bestemmelser, der giver mulighed for frit at udføre søtransport inden for medlemsstaterne (cabotage), giver medlemsstaterne ret til, uden at foretage nogen diskriminering mellem EU-redere, at pålægge forpligtelser til offentlige tjenesteydelser som en betingelse for at drive ruteforbindelse til, mellem og fra øer.
The regulations governing the freedom to provide maritime transport services within a Member State (known as 'cabotage') allow Member States to impose public service obligations, without any discrimination between Community shipowners, as a condition for operating scheduled services to. from and between islands.