Short-sea shipping’s contribution to the European transport network

Study on short-sea shipping’s contribution to the European transport network and the means to support and revitalise the sector

A consortium led by Ecorys and consisting of TRT and CERTH-HIT has been appointed by the EC DG MOVE to conduct a study on short-sea shipping’s (SSS) contribution to the European transport network and the means to support and revitalise the sector. The SSS is seen as one of the transport modes that can contribute to achieving the goals as laid down in the European Green Deal, such as cut EU’s GHG emissions by at least 55% in 2030 and to become climate neutral in 2050.

The study aims at assessing the contribution of SSS to the EU’s transport network and identifying the potential and challenges affecting its growth in the EU. Three main objectives are defined to achieve the aforementioned aim:

• to analyse the state of play of EU shipping and SSS, assessing the current role that SSS plays in the European transport network;
• to provide an analysis of the projected evolution of SSS in the EU at a regional, national and local level, and to analyse the main factors affecting the development and evolution of SSS in the EU;
• to develop and propose, in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders, policy recommendations and directions based on the results of the analysis carried out, identifying the means to support and revitalise the sector.

The objectives will be achieved through sequential performing of four main tasks: desk research (task A), stakeholder consultations (task B), policy recommendations (task C) and dissemination (task D). Tasks A and B represent backward- and forward-looking exercises respectively aimed at understanding the historical development of the SSS sector and its evolution in the future.

Concrete policy recommendations will be created through case study analysis and roundtable. These 3 tasks are developed in a way to address 33 information needs according to the terms of reference. The study will finish with dissemination exercise.

The study activities will be performed analysing the sector from different dimensions: 1. Market, 2. Multi-modality, 3. Business, 4. Fleet, 5. Policy, funding and financing and 6. Neighbouring and third countries.

TRT will lead the desk research phase and is responsible for dimensions 1. Market and 6. Neighbouring and third countries.