Short sea shipping

Short-sea shipping is the movement of cargo by sea over short and medium distances within a continental region, without crossing an ocean, often as a feeder or as a road-and-rail alternative. The EU promotes it through the Motorways of the Sea program to shift freight off congested roads, and counts intra-European, Baltic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea traffic as short sea. Vessels are typically small coasters, feeders, and ro-ro ships running frequent fixed or tramp services. The economics turn on port time and frequency rather than long-haul fuel efficiency.