Direct short sea shuttle concept - a pre-study of the market potential for a DSSS-implementation in the Northand Baltic Sea-region

Abstract

Efficient short sea shipping is of crucial importance for trade and industry in Northern Europe and the growing importance of the same has been highlighted in various contexts, emphasizing the need to move larger volumes of goods from land-­‐based transport to sea. Furthermore, limitations in the current railway infrastructure in Sweden and high capacity utilization on a majority of the lines undermine an efficient use of the transport network and have a negative effect on the possibility to increase the volume of containers transported by rail to and from the ports. In order to target the problem the direct short sea shuttle concept is developed. This thesis aims to investigate the market potential of implementing a direct short sea shuttle concept, with emphasis on containerised cargo. The current study aims to identify which characteristics defines the DSSS-­‐concept as well as to analyse under which conditions this concept could be feasible and competitive in the geographical area of scope, namely the North and Baltic Sea region. The study is presented within the frame of the research project “Direkta Sjöfartsskyttlar”. The research includes an investigation of possible volume increase in short sea transportation of containerized cargo in order to reach the European Union’s goals for sustainable goods transportation, possibility to provide an alternative transportation system for industries in the region of scope. The data collection method for this study is based on the theory of triangulation containing three methods in collaboration; literature review, workshop and interviews. The DSSS-­‐concept is defined as: A reliable shipping service with fixed schedules with daily or weekly departures between a hub port and a number of strategically located ports. The shuttles providing a complementary service to existing rail shuttles for improved transport and trade opportunities. Though the market potential of the DSSS-­‐concept has been difficult to estimate on aggregated level with regards to possible shifting of goods volume, the investigation has shown that there is a genuine interest from various stakeholders towards the implementation of the DSSS-­‐concept. Furthermore, due to recent changes in the market conditions for short sea shipping as well as upcoming future regulations in the study region the timing of the concept investigation has been described as beneficial.