Shortsea Shipping in Europe: Reality or Wishful Thinking?

As Europe looks to decarbonize its freight sector, shortsea shipping (SSS) is often framed as a silver bullet, since it is cleaner, quieter, and potentially more cost-effective than road haulage. On paper, it seems like a logical solution: with around 70,000 kilometers of coastline and a dense network of ports, the European Union (EU) appears well-positioned to make greater use of maritime transport for intra-European trade.

However, despite decades of EU policy support, pilot programs, and funding initiatives, the broader uptake of shortsea shipping remains limited. The question persists: Is shortsea shipping a growing reality, or is it a well-intentioned concept that struggles to scale beyond a few bright spots?