Short sea shipping is becoming an increasingly popular option for companies seeking an economical, sustainable and secure solution for their shipments.

This method of transport offers numerous advantages and adapts to various logistical needs, providing an efficient alternative to other modes of transport.

In this article, we will explore in detail what short sea shipping is, its benefits, applications and how Across Logistics can help optimize your logistics operations through this service.

 

What is short sea shipping?

Short sea shipping refers to the movement of goods between ports located a relatively short distance apart, often within the same geographical region or between neighboring countries.

Unlike long-sea shipping, which involves intercontinental journeys and crossing oceans, short-sea shipping focuses on shorter and more frequent routes. These routes are usually well established and highly efficient, connecting ports that are key points for the distribution of goods in specific areas.

Short sea shipping plays a crucial role in the logistics chain, as it enables fast and efficient distribution of products, optimizing time and costs.

In addition, short sea shipping facilitates the integration of different modes of transport, such as land and rail, creating multimodal logistics solutions that improve flexibility and efficiency in the delivery of goods. This ability to combine different transportation methods is especially valuable for distribution in areas with developed infrastructure and dense transportation networks.

In summary, short sea shipping is a strategic and efficient option for the movement of goods over short distances, offering significant advantages in terms of cost, sustainability and safety.

At Across Logistics, we understand the importance of this type of transportation and offer customized solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers.

 

Benefits of short sea shipping

Short sea shipping offers a number of significant benefits that make it an attractive option for many companies. These benefits encompass economic, environmental and safety aspects, providing a comprehensive and efficient solution for freight logistics.

 

Economic benefits

 

Lower operating costs

Short sea shipping generally involves lower operating costs compared to other transportation methods, such as land and air. This is due to the fact that vessels can carry large volumes of cargo in a single voyage, reducing the cost per unit transported.

 

Reduced fuel and maintenance costs

Ships used in short sea shipping are generally more fuel efficient than trucks and airplanes. In addition, port infrastructure maintenance is less costly than road and airport maintenance.

 

Environmental benefits

 

Lower emission of CO2 and other pollutants:

Short sea shipping is a more sustainable option compared to land and air transport, as it produces less CO2 emissions per ton of cargo transported.

This contributes to reducing the carbon footprint and combating climate change.

 

Promoting sustainable and responsible practices

The maritime industry is increasingly committed to adopting sustainable practices, such as the use of cleaner fuels and advanced technologies to reduce emissions. This makes short sea shipping a greener option for companies seeking to minimize their environmental impact.

 

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Safety and reliability

 

Reduced risk of accidents and damage to merchandise

Short sea shipping presents a lower risk of accidents compared to land transport, where traffic and road conditions can be unpredictable.

In addition, the vessels are designed to protect the cargo during transport, reducing the likelihood of damage.

 

Increased timeliness and regularity of shipments

Short-haul routes tend to be more predictable and less susceptible to delays caused by external factors such as weather and traffic. This ensures greater timeliness and regularity of deliveries, which is crucial for just-in-time supply chains.

 

At Across Logistics, we leverage these benefits to offer short sea shipping solutions that fit our customers’ needs. Our experience and ability to manage shipments efficiently and safely allow us to provide a high quality service, ensuring that goods arrive at their destination in the best conditions and at a competitive cost.

 

Short sea shipping applications

Short sea shipping has diverse applications that make it a versatile and efficient option for the movement of goods in various industries.

Some of the main applications of this type of transport are detailed below.

 

Connection between countries and nearby regions

Short sea shipping is ideal for connecting countries and regions that are geographically close. This modality facilitates the trade and distribution of products between areas that are separated by bodies of water, such as seas, rivers and lakes.

Some popular routes include:

Europe and the Mediterranean: Connections between European and Mediterranean countries, facilitating the exchange of goods and manufactured products.

Asia and the Pacific: Routes connecting the many islands and countries of Southeast Asia, providing an efficient network for regional trade.

These routes allow for fast and efficient distribution, reducing transit times and costs associated with long-distance transportation.

 

Transportation of Specific Goods

Short sea shipping is suitable for a wide variety of goods, including those requiring special handling. Some of the specific commodities that can benefit from this type of transportation include:

 

Dangerous loads:

Across Logistics specializes in the safe handling of dangerous goods, strictly following the procedures and standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This type of cargo includes chemicals, flammable materials and other substances that require careful handling and specialized transportation.

 

Special equipment and conventional loads:

The transport of special equipment, such as Open Top (OT), Reefer (RF), Flat Rack (FR) and Out of Gauge (OOG) containers, is a common application of short sea shipping. In addition, conventional and RO/RO (Roll-on/Roll-off) loads also benefit from this method due to its efficiency and safety.

 

Across Logistics’ strategies and solutions in maritime transport

At Across Logistics, we specialize in offering customized and efficient solutions for short sea shipping.

We leverage our extensive experience and expertise in logistics to provide services tailored to the specific needs of our customers, ensuring maximum efficiency, safety and competitiveness in every shipment.

The following are our main strategies and solutions.

 

Adaptation to customer needs

We understand that each customer has unique requirements. For this reason, we offer customized shipping services that are tailored to the specifications of each shipment.

Whether you need to transport large volumes of goods or small batches, our solutions are designed to optimally meet your needs.

 

Integrated supply chain management

We offer an integrated supply chain management, from the collection of goods to their final delivery. This includes coordinating multiple modes of transportation and optimizing routes to ensure efficient and timely delivery of your products.

 

Route and load optimization

We use specialized software to plan and optimize transportation routes, ensuring that loads move as efficiently as possible. This not only reduces costs, but also minimizes environmental impact.

 

At Across Logistics, we are committed to service excellence and customer satisfaction. Our strategies and solutions for short sea shipping are designed to offer maximum efficiency, safety and competitiveness, ensuring that your goods reach their destination in the best possible conditions.

 

Contact our specialists.