<p>The European Union plays a pivotal role in the global maritime industry, which faces increasing pressure to balance economic performance with social and environmental sustainability. In alignment with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the EU has developed a complex legal framework to address these challenges, with an evolving focus on social and environmental concerns alongside traditional economic priorities. This article systematically maps and analyzes the EU maritime law framework, emphasizing the interplay between the social and environmental sustainability dimensions. It explores the key characteristics of the regulatory landscape, investigates the reasons behind the EU’s approach, and examines how and when social and environmental sustainability interact. Covering 78 acts of secondary legislation currently into force, the analysis categorizes them into social and environmental sustainability clusters, while also exploring spheres of overlap, such as maritime surveillance, maritime control, and corporate responsibility. The article concludes by recognizing the EU’s significant progress in promoting a coordinated approach to sustainability in the maritime sector. It further identifies overarching trends in the extraterritorial effect of EU sustainability standards and the progressive externalization of EU maritime law enforcement, and highlights future challenges posed by the growing role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the groundbreaking development of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).</p>