Modal shift from road haulage to short sea shipping: a systematic literature review and research directions

Abstract

Modal shift from road haulage to short sea shipping (SSS) has been advocated by authorities and researchers for more than two decades. This paper provides a review of literature on modal shift and pinpoints paths for future research on topics in six categories: (1) factors influencing SSS competitiveness, (2) the policy-oriented perspective, (3) environmental legislation, (4) SSS performance, (5) port characteristics, and (6) the multi-agent perspective. In particular, we propose first, in evaluating the performance of SSS versus road haulage in different trade corridors, three performance-related dimensionsthe economic dimension (e.g. external costs), the environmental dimension, and the dimension of service qualityshould be considered. Second, researchers should use rich, real-world, numerical data and operational research techniques to identify the relative importance of individual drivers and barriers for a modal shift from road haulage to SSS. Third proposed direction is related to assessing which groups of actors certain policies should target. In doing so, researchers should extend their policy-related focus beyond the European Union, which has long encompassed the major geopolitical scope of research on the modal shift. Fourth, to moderate the adverse impact of environmental legislation on SSS, strategic solutions need to be identified. Fifth, we also suggest that the influence of contingencies, particularly port strikes and cyberattacks, on SSS operations and approaches for managing them should be investigated. Sixth, the economic and financial advantages of coordination and alliance for each transport chain agent need to be evaluated.

The Influence of Power and Trust on the Initiation and Duration of Modal Shift Solutions

“…From a wider perspective of sustainability, the findings confirm the results of Meqdadi et al [71], as this paper also finds that power influences adoption and trust facilitate implementation in such a context. Finally, the paper contributes to earlier studies on facilitators and barriers for modal shifts, e.g., [7][8][9], by describing how power balances and trust can influence modal shifts.…”

“…For example, Rogerson et al [7] highlight four types of barriers (regulatory, financial, service quality and market characteristics) in their case study of a modal shift to inland waterways. In a similar vein, Raza et al [8] find in their literature review that issues within seven categories for a shift to short-range sea shipping (service quality, financial, technical, communication, service and market, regulatory and administrative) have a negative impact upon possibilities for a modal shift. In the context of a shift from road to rail, Elbert and Seikowsky [9] pinpoint economic, quality, infrastructural, management, policy and sustainability barriers.…”

“…It is mainly the duration of a modal shift that is hindered by the potential substitution of transport providers, but it can also influence willingness on the transport provider's side to initiate a modal shift. The change towards a modal shift can be highly complex, and several barriers have been identified in previous literature [7][8][9], in particular transport solutions utilising sea and rail have been criticised for having poor lead times and limited delivery precision. Coercive power in the form of the threat of substitution has the negative effect of creating a greater risk for the transport provider when engaging in a modal shift compared to maintaining traditional road transport solutions.…”

Performance assessment of alternative SSS networks by combining KPIs and factor-cluster analysis

“…To evaluate the performance of the two networks including the general criteria that are normally considered by public decision-makers, KPIs were selected to reproduce the three primary dimensions of performance [53]:…”

“…It is shared opinion that poor results may be partly attributed to the fact that policies mostly target transport buyers who shift goods from road to the sea and not how to make SSS more attractive by increasing its efficiency [62,64]. A thorough analysis of transport alternatives to assess how efficiency is best attained is believed expedient to guide effectively SSS-oriented policymaking [53]. In this regard, the present study intends to provide a contribution to the literature by proposing a quantitative methodology which can serve as a decision-support tool in the preliminary assessment and comparison of the performance of alternative SSS networks.…”