Can a new generation of short-sea shipping become a viable alternative to road freight?
Within the Norwegian-Swedish collaboration Cargo Express, we are exploring whether - and how - a new form of short-sea shipping can be developed into a green, smart, more automated, and AI-driven transport system capable of competing with today’s land-based solutions. Our starting point is the transport buyer’s requirements for punctuality, frequency, service quality, and climate performance.
By analyzing how a maritime solution can be designed based on these requirements, we aim to understand both the possibilities and the limitations of a future intermodal system where the sea leg plays a more significant role than it does today.
As part of the project's initial phase, we have analyzed the cost distribution of a maritime setup compared to equivalent truck transport between the Swedish West Coast and the Oslo area. In our calculations, sea transport accounts for approximately 40–45% of total costs, while pre-carriage and distribution constitute roughly 40–50%, with port and infrastructure fees making up the remainder.
More expensive today – but conditions may change
Naturally, different vessel sizes, distances, and operational setups can yield completely different outcomes. That said, the results of our calculation are not unexpected. Historically, shipping has struggled to compete with road freight on shorter routes; however, we currently see that short-sea shipping is facing a window of opportunity. Rapid development is currently underway within:
- New vessel designs
- Electrification and energy-efficient propulsion systems
- Automated port and terminal handling
- Digitalization and AI support in planning and operations
Together with upcoming regulatory changes and increased sustainability requirements, these developments can contribute to short-sea shipping becoming a competitive and high-performing alternative in the long term.
Where are we heading?
In the next stage, we will continue to combine technology scouting, economic analysis, and dialogue with transport buyers and other stakeholders. The goal is to create a future vision of how an efficient and robust short-sea shipping system could be designed—and what political, technical, and market-related changes are required to achieve it.
What do you think?
We are eager to hear more perspectives. How do you view the role of shipping in the future European transport system? And what prerequisites are needed for short-sea shipping to seriously challenge road freight? Please get in touch; this discussion is vital, and we are building this vision together.
Contact Kristoffer Skjutare, Project Manager for Cargo Express, at kristoffer.skjutare@lindholmen.se or read more at: https://closer.lindholmen.se/en/project/cargo-express
Kontakt
📸 Photo credits: Naval Dynamics
Phone: +46 (0)31-764 70 00
E-mail: info@lindholmen.se
About CLOSER
CLOSER is a neutral platform for collaboration, knowledge and innovation for increased transport and logistics efficiency. The goal of CLOSER is to contribute with new solutions for the freight transport system to build a sustainable society.
CLOSER is mainly financed by Trafikverket, Vinnova and Västra Götalandsregionen.
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