Promoting Shortsea Shipping: Why?
The maritime mode, innovation factor in the logistic chain
- Since the ratification of the Maasticht treaty, European Union has made a priority the development of a sustainable trans-european transport network (TEN-T). It implies particularly that european transports must be efficient, safe and environment friendly: a chance for maritime transport, but also a challenge.
- The european market of shortsea shipping is still largelly monomodal and scattered.
As a result, the market is heterogenous and the loss of opportunities which slow down the development quantitatively and qualitatively although the trend should be favourable. - The need of companies to secure and control their flows of goods, lead them to look for logistic alternatives to the "all-road" solution. The maritime sector allows to reduce jam, and the value added of his contribution cuold benefit to the whole chain
- Le souci des entreprises de maîtriser et de sécuriser leurs flux de marchandises les conduit à rechercher des alternatives au "tout-route". Le secteur maritime permet de réduire les blocages, et la valeur ajoutée de sa contribution peut bénéficier à l'ensemble de la chaîne.
Assets for shortsea users
- A transport without traffic congestion: the sea is free, no saturation neither access restriction.
- A competitiv transport: in term of costs of the ton-km strode and in term of time management thanks to 24/7 navigation.
- A safe and clean transport: maritime transport is low environment damaging and their accident statistics are among lowest of the transport sector.
Some favourable prospects
- Efficiency and reliabilty: adjustment of modal connexions, punctuallity rate superior or equal to other modes.
- Innovation : faster and faster boat, frequency and adjusted time schedules, simplified procedures,quality commitment
- Intégration in the logistic process: the maritime leg is fully operativ in the flows and stock management, with some partners able to ensure the transport from door-to-door.
