In an increasing number of publications addressing port issues, a shift in the perspective on the role of modern seaports can be observed. As noted by S. Szwankowski – ports are currently treated not as independent, isolated elements of maritime transport infrastructure, but as intermediate links, transport hubs in land-sea transport chains connecting points of origin and destination of cargo. Customers choose a seaport to handle their transport needs through the prism of the entire land-sea transport chain. The same author emphasized that – due to their position in the transport chain, the complex nature of their operations, and the functions they perform, which go beyond narrowly understood transport activities, a seaport is most often the link that determines the choice of the chain route.
Seaports of the European Community play a significant role in handling the trade exchange of the countries of this group with the rest of the world (approx. 70% of total turnover). However, road transport still maintains a strong position in intra-EU transport. This fact has led to the prioritization of activating transport modes alternative to road transport as one of the priorities of the common transport policy. Among the preferred directions for the development of European transport were actions related to the activation of short sea shipping within the framework of intermodal connections. As emphasized in the White Paper (European transport policy for 2010: time to decide) – short sea shipping cannot provide a real alternative solution unless the cargo is subsequently transported by waterways and rail, instead of by road (trucks). The cited document also proposed the launch of the Marco Polo program to support intermodal initiatives and variants that constitute an alternative to road transport in the initial stages, until they become commercially effective.
Seaports of the European Community play a significant role in handling the trade exchange of the countries of this group with the rest of the world (approx. 70% of total turnover). However, road transport still maintains a strong position in intra-EU transport. This fact has led to the prioritization of activating transport modes alternative to road transport as one of the priorities of the common transport policy. Among the preferred directions for the development of European transport were actions related to the activation of short sea shipping within the framework of intermodal connections. As emphasized in the White Paper (European transport policy for 2010: time to decide) – short sea shipping cannot provide a real alternative solution unless the cargo is subsequently transported by waterways and rail, instead of by road (trucks). The cited document also proposed the launch of the Marco Polo program to support intermodal initiatives and variants that constitute an alternative to road transport in the initial stages, until they become commercially effective.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” No. 1/2005.