Selection of Short sea Shipping Transport Chains in Western Europe, Based on External Costs

Abstract

According to the mid term review of the EU White Paper on Transport, Short Sea Shipping is expected to grow at a rate of 59% in metric tonnes, from 2000 to 2020. If we consider that the overall expected growth in freight exchanges is of 50% (also in volume), sea transport is one of the most feasible way to reduce traffic congestion on European roads. Marine transport is a possible way to compete with road transport in certain traffics, mainly when assuming external costs. This paper is going to analyse five multimodal routes, considering three different levels of powered ships, which one is going to be the most efficient in terms of external costs.