|
On behalf of Cargo Edições Lda, I am honoured to invite the International Research Community, the Industry, International Organizations and Governments to the International Research Conference on Short Sea Shipping to be held in April 2012, in Portugal. The focus on short sea shipping (formerly known as international cabotage, international coastal trade or international coastal shipping), and often defined as the movement of freight by sea without crossing an ocean, i.e. within the same continent, rests upon its importance and attention given at a policy level for the last twenty years.
After the European Commission released its Communication on the Common Transport Policy in December 1992, the subject under consideration has promoted much debate, to the extent that other regions of the world such as the United States/Canada, Australia, Asia, New Zealand are considering it at a policy level as well. In 2008, at an European level, short sea shipping accounted for 36,6% of all intra-European freight and according to the 1992 Commission Communication there is a potential market share of 14% that short sea shipping can grasp from long distance road transport.
As a result, numerous research projects have been funded at regional and national levels to find out solutions that promote this ‘mode of transport’ as a viable alternative to road transport and that contribute to its integration within multimodal/intermodal transport chains. Within this context, numerous meetings, workshops and conferences of a regional character have been organised to discuss and disseminate information and research work.
Against this geographical scope, the present Conference aims at covering the whole world so as to become an international forum / research platform for the exchange of research information and knowledge among those interested in this ‘mode of transport’ / research area and related issues. This provides a unique opportunity to see how our neighbouring countries and regions are approaching this ‘mode of transport’ and what lessons can be learnt. Moreover, an international Conference as it is proposed is a valuable event for young researchers, students and newcomers to the industry since it provides the opportunity to interact with more senior and experienced researchers and practitioners.
As such, the international character of the Conference has fostered its theme to be “Five continents – different perspectives – one objective: to move cargo by sea”. While filling the existing gap from a geographical perspective, it builds upon the body of knowledge and research carried out so far and presented in the regional meetings, at encouraging ongoing international information exchange, at strengthening the regional network, at building knowledge upon difference of opinion and experience, and fostering exchange of expertise and learning through active participation of community representatives, academia, governments, private research agencies and national research centres. Numerous topics have been identified to meet this objective and any gap left is more than welcomed to be addressed and the outcome of this work will be published in the Conference Proceedings.
The Conference scientific program will follow the traditional layout of other research related conferences and details about the Conference deadlines can be seen here. Apart from the working sessions, there will always be opportunity for people to get together, to exploit networking opportunities, and eventually, to relax before a new working period starts again. We believe that the Conference comes up as a unique opportunity and we welcome the International Research Community, the Industry, International Organizations and Governments to discuss and suggest solutions that contribute to a better performing competitiveness environmentally friendly sector vis-à-vis road transport.
Bem-vindo a Lisboa, Portugal.
Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal
Ana Cristina Paixão Casaca
Conference Chair
Operational Director of ESPRIM
|
Media
qq.com
