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Short sea shipping: Moving goods efficiently on seas and rivers

Looking for a fast and economical short sea shipping service in Europe? Our short sea services connect major industrial regions and markets through regular liner services, a strong network of locations and many years of experience. We are your trusted partner for efficient short sea transportation.

Efficient short sea shipping for European markets

Our short sea shipping service is your link to European markets. With regular routes between major ports, we offer a cost-effective and sustainable transport solution. Rely on our years of experience and wide network of locations. Our services include door-to-door deliveries and regular shipments. With our own port terminals, we always have the right equipment to handle your cargo. Our experts are here to support you at every stage. In addition, our dependable hinterland connections ensure your goods move smoothly inland and arrive efficiently and on time, even beyond the coast.

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Benefits

Depending on your requirements for type of goods, size, weight and handling method, even large cargo volumes can reach their destination quickly via short sea or combined transportation.

Move your goods to our short sea vessels to ease traffic on European roads and reduce your carbon footprint.

Profit from a wide selection of short sea routes, multiple ports and terminals that provide prioritized and individual handling and storage.

On-time delivery is made possible through optimized processes and reliable schedules in short sea transportation.

Choose Rhenus for your short sea transport

  • Fixed schedules and optimized supply chains
  • Smooth processes thanks to our experience in handling steel, aluminum,& paper, grain, gypsum, sand, gravel and wood
  • Your one-stop shop for short sea transportation. Whether full charter, breakbulk, short-term or long-term projects, we will find the right short sea transportation solution for your shipment
  • Specialist in Saimaa trade(Finland) and sea-river transport to Great Britain and Ireland.
  • Our own vessels and chartered tonnage with a carrying capacity of around 1,500 to 8,000 tons ensure high-quality transportation and dependable delivery of your goods
  • Sustainable logistics with Rhenus aiming to be 100 percent climate neutral by 2030
  • A dedicated contact person handling your entire short sea needs
  • Regular departures to many European seaports and inland ports
  • Fixed schedules, easy booking and streamlined supply chains
  • Door-to-door delivery reduces handling and damage and speeds up the delivery of your goods
  • Assistance with customs clearance and port documentation
  • Modern management system with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification
Friendly call center agent who is talking to a customer

Want to move your goods efficiently and sustainably between port cities and coastal regions?

Our short sea experts will be happy to explain our comprehensive services and provide you with a customized offer.

Frequently asked questions

Short sea shipping includes all maritime transport services that do not cross an ocean. As part of the multimodal supply chain, it connects road, rail and inland waterways. With Europe’s vast network of rivers, short sea transport has long been essential to European trade.

Short sea vessels can transport steel, aluminum, paper, wood, grain, sand, gravel, liquids, bulk, breakbulk, oversized project cargo and more.

While short sea shipping may not necessarily be faster than trucks or trains, it offers much higher efficiency in logistics and supply chain management. Transporting large volumes of goods in one voyage reduces complexity, coordination and costs, while regular services help businesses plan their logistics more accurately.

Rhenus operates short sea shipping across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, Bay of Biscay and Mediterranean Sea and offers connections to inland waterway terminals throughout Europe.

Short sea shipping will remain vital in Europe for many years, with an increasing focus on sustainability. More efficient vessel designs and alternative fuels such as methanol and liquefied natural gas will help lower fuel consumption and emissions.Automation and digitalization will enhance efficiency and make short sea shipping more accessible to businesses of all sizes.