(15)Since the objectives of this Directive, namely ensuring safe operation of ro-ro passenger ships and high-speed passenger craft in regular service, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States in view of the internal market dimension of maritime passenger transport and the cross-border nature of the operation of such shipsand craft in the Union and at international level, but can rather be achieved at Union level by establishing a common level of safety and avoiding distortion of competition, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.