INSPIRE - Innovative Ship Pilot Research
Overview
Background & policy context:
Trade in Europe is fundamental to economic development and intermodal transport is a key factor in facilitating this trade. It is therefore necessary that EU shipping keeps pace with market requirements for the distribution of goods and that short sea shipping is integrated in intermodal transport chains in order to provide efficient and dependable door-to-door services. Innovative shipping concepts need to be examined to help promote EU shipping. The provision of frequent, reliable, safe and cost-effective sea transport is a primary concern in certain peripheral areas of the EU where no alternatives exist to cargo transport by ship.
Objectives:
The main project objective was to demonstrate how, within selected trade corridors, short sea shipping can be made more competitive as part of an intermodal transport chain.
Specific objectives were to:
- develop methodologies for determining strategies that will increase the effectiveness and competitiveness of EU short-sea shipping on key corridors;
- demonstrate that EU short-sea shipping can extend its competitiveness through the application of vessels that are optimally matched to trading corridors and to ports;
- provide policy recommendations to improve the overall effectiveness of EU short-sea shipping.
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