ESN, European Shortsea Network

The European Shortsea Network (ESN) is an informal cooperation platform linking the national Shortsea Promotion Centres (SPCs) across Europe, formed in 2000 with the European Commission and the existing centres. ESN has no legal personality; it is an agreement among members to coordinate information exchange and promote short-sea shipping as an alternative to road freight. Each member SPC is a national focal point advising shippers on coastal and intra-European sea routes. The network supports the EU’s modal-shift and Motorways of the Sea objectives.