The roadmap for a competitive short sea shipping industry
On 16 April 2026, the Swedish Shipbrokers Association invited CLOSER, and the Cargo Express project , to lead a workshop to define how short sea shipping can become a competitive alternative to road transport. The results of the workshop show a clear consensus: the industry is ready to innovate, but success depends on immediate regulatory and economic changes. Participating shipping companies and freight forwarders identified “Regulations, support and policy” as the most critical area for change.
Urgent action is needed to make short sea shipping a competitive option by 2030. The focus in the coming years will be on policy decisions, such as the introduction of environmental bonus schemes and the internalisation of costs to reflect real transport costs. These are seen as crucial tools to create a level playing field. Between 2028-2030, the industry expects a large-scale implementation of digital systems and new cargo handling technologies, leading to a long-term transformation with automation and new fuels from 2030 onwards.
A significant challenge remains: many of the highest priority measures, such as pilotage fee reforms and national support programs, are beyond the direct control of the industry and require political intervention. However, the industry is taking responsibility where it can, specifically through digitalization. By developing open booking platforms and AI tools that help shippers prioritize, they aim to make intermodal sea freight as seamless and accessible as road alternatives.
To bridge the gap, participants stressed the need for deeper collaboration across the supply chain. This includes ports taking a proactive role in infrastructure that specifically benefits short sea shipping, but also raising the level of knowledge about maritime transport in general across the value chain. Ultimately, the transition to sea rests on a two-pronged approach: industry-led digital innovation combined with a supportive, long-term policy framework.
Om projektet
Cargo Express är ett projekt som medfinansieras av Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak (ÖKS) program – ett EU-initiativ som stödjer gränsöverskridande samarbete i södra Skandinavien för att driva på utvecklingen av hållbara och innovativa transportlösningar.
Kontakt
Daniel Moback, Innovations- och forskningsledare, daniel.moback@lindholmen.se, Telefonnummer: +46(0)70-219 46 70
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Daniel Moback
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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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