Short sea transport has an important share in transport of cargo within Europe: almost 43 %. The cargo consists mainly of large bulk flows (dry and wet bulk, such as fertilizers and oil (products), but also general cargo, such as forest products and paper. Semi-manufactured articles and consumer products are mainly transported by road in 20/25 ton volumes, whereas these goods could well be transported via short sea shipping.

The Shortsea Promotion Centre (SPC) focuses on this specific group of products, and consequently on those kinds of short sea transport that are alternatives to road transport. RoRo and container liner services are specifically active in short sea.

Future shippers can choose from various kinds of shortsea shipping, such as container - , RoRo - , general cargo transport and sea-river shipping.

Containers/trailers
Freight transported via motorways is mainly palletised. The shortsea sector has an answer to that. It offers door-to-door services at which cargo is carried in containers and trailers (mainly at a length of 12 to 13.60 metres). The standard size containers (20 and 40 ft) are less suitable for carrying pallets, as the width within is only 2.33 metres. Many shortsea operators offer palletwide 40ft and 45 ft containers, as the suitable answer to the demand for efficient use of a container. The 45 ft palletwide containers have special corner castings, which enables to make a combination of container and truck no longer than legally allowed. Cargo for one company can be carried in a container, but also freight from various companies, as consolidated part loads by specialized companies.
RoRo transport
RoRo transport is used for rolling stock, such as trailers, project cargo and machinery. The vessels can carry containers as well; these are loaded on so-called Mafi trailers, which can make containers rolling. Ferries are used as well, to carry trailers. It is usually done in combination with passengers transport. This kind of transport is respected as complementary to road haulage. The vessel takes the shortest route via sea, after which the larger distance is covered via motorways.
Conventional shipping
Conventional shipping is transport of non-containerised cargo, for example big bags and paper reels, also called "neo-bulk". This kind of shipping is suited for transport of project cargo and "out of gauge" cargo, as well. These vessels often have cranes on board ship, which makes (un)loading possible alongside any quay.
Sea-river shipping
Sea-river shipping is another special kind of shortsea shipping. The concept of this kind is simple: operate a seaworthy ship with such a size that it can sail inland waters as well. Consequently sea-river vessels have a draught, height and length suitable for both sea and rivers. Usually they have a capacity of maximum 3,000 dwt, a draught of 5 metres at the most and a height till 9 metres. Sea-river vessels mainly carry general cargo and bulk, but also more and more containers. The main sailing areas for the sea-river sector are Scandinavia and the German inland ports along the Rhine (even up to Basel), and the UK. Sea-river navigation makes it possible to discharge cargo close to its final destination, and consequently closer to the customer.