Short sea shipping in Europe: issues, policies and challenges

The Integration of RoRo Shipping in Sustainable Intermodal Transport Chains: The Case of a North European RoRo Service

“…Our findings are consistent with those of Ng, Sauri and Turro [3], who emphasised that high cargo-handling cost in ports is amongst the top barriers to enhancing the integration of RoRo services into intermodal transport chains. In our study, we found that port costs account for nearly 60% of Stora Enso´s total shipment costs.…”

“…Special attention has been given to the integration of shipping in intermodal transport chains during the last decades [3]. Apart from its environmental performance, maritime transport has unlimited capacity and does not require high infrastructure investments, as compared to rail [15].…”

“…In addition to the economic parameter, he points out the need for a 'cultural' change from the sides of both shipowners and shippers for the development of efficient RoRo logistics operations that require different working methods, where inland and maritime carriers' operations are complementary rather than competitive. Ng et al [3] underline the importance of ports for the establishment and successful operation of intermodal RoRo services, mentioning the high cost of cargo handling in ports that can significantly reduce their competitiveness and feasibility. Apart from port costs, extended times in ports can negatively influence the competitiveness of intermodal RoRo services [20].…”

“…In the next section, we focus on shortsea unaccompanied freight RoRo The integration of SSS in European intermodal transport chains has been an issue of major concern during the last decades, as it represents an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and safe alternative to road transport that can facilitate the connection of remote and peripheral regions without requiring high infrastructure investments [15]. Sufficient cooperation with other modes of transport, low port costs and simplification of administrative and documentation procedures in ports are crucial factors for the further employment of SSS in intermodal logistics chains [3]. According to Paixão Casaca and Marlow [29], the improved efficiency of the carrier's transport network and the adoption of a different management approach that relies on carrier-shippers' relationships could enable the integration of SSS into multimodal transport chains.…”

“…In 2015, maritime transport, including domestic and international shipping, emitted 151 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalents in the 28 European member states, accounting for 12.7% of the transport sector's total emissions [2]. However, integration of shipping into intermodal transport chains has not been achieved until now, despite various initiatives undertaken by stakeholders [3]. Significant differences amongst diverse segments of the shipping industry need to be considered for adoption of effective policies and incentives that could lead to further use of shipping in intermodal transport chains [4].…”