Skip to content

European Shortsea Network

60%

of intra-EU trade

1,79

million tons transported

c

Shortsea Numbers

Types of goods transported

Distribution of shortsea trade

source: Eurostat

Advantages of Shortsea Shipping

Economic and cost-effective transport

Maritime transport is more cost-effective compared to other transport modes. Especially for larger freight volumes, cost advantages can be significant. ShortSea Shipping offers services at lower freight rates benefiting the final consumer.

Consistent, reliable and timely services with guaranteed transit times

Through a developed network of sea links and many ports throughout Europe, ShortSea Shipping offers significant transport capacity and services seven days per week, 24 hours per day.

Door-to-door transport via hundreds of European ports

The extended geographical network of ports facilitates the door-to-door transportation of specific cargoes contributing to the integration and cohesion of the European continent.

Energy efficient and environmentally friendly services

Removing vehicles from EU roads contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and thus to the quality of air. SSS produces less carbon dioxide and other air pollutants compared to alternative transport solutions. The sector pioneers adopting new energy sources and innovative technologies to reduce air emissions gradually and lead to the decarbonization of the industry.

·Reduced road and traffic congestion

Three-quarters of inland transport freight is carried by road transport. ShortSea Shipping as an alternative mode of transportation reduces not only road congestion but also the associated social costs.

Safer per ton-mile mode

Transposing significant volumes of vehicles from roads to sea corridors increases the safety of European roads.

Latest News

  • NCL’s Green Fleet: Methanol and Ammonia-Powered Ships to move Norwegian industry into green logistics.

  • The Sweden Finland X-Press (SFX) Service is Back with a Refreshed Rotation!

< 2025 >
June
«
»
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
July
July
July
July
July
ABOUT US

Our Story

The membership of ESN is not exclusively opened for European Union member states, but is in principle open to all shortsea promotion centres from European countries

Definition on shortsea shipping by the European Union

Définition

Shortsea shipping

Shortsea shipping can be divided in :

  • Liner shipping
  • Tramp shipping

Cargo in containers

Feeder containers : vessels schedule follows the deepsea carrier. Intra European containers : schedule according to market demand.

Europe

Shortsea transport in Europe includes all destinations which are bordering European Union.

Information to
target groups

Find out more
Promotion and information

Because the Network does not have a central office. All information in gathered and spread through the national SPC’s Activities.

Activities

ESN carries out a wide variety of activities. A number of them are listed below.

All information published by the ESN is targeted to the owner of the cargo. Beside that ESN and its members keep in close contact with the shortsea operators and other companies in the shortsea chain. And last, the interaction with the national and european governments is very intensive.