The Concerted Action on Shortsea Shipping (project "SSS-CA") played an important role in the Commission's Waterborne Transport Research programme (DGVII - 4th FP). It did so by setting out the following goals:

·      compiling the state of the art in this (broadly defined) area,
·      synthesizing all relevant research and other related work,
·      defining relevant pilot projects and demonstrators,
·      defining criteria for interoperability and SSS logistical efficiency,
·      identifying the key focal points for shortsea shipping future development, and
·      providing the widest possible exposure and dissemination of the results of the action.

A total of 14 EU member states participated in the action. The representatives of each participating country contributed input, advice, and other expertise. Such input typically represented (but was not necessarily be limited to) information coming from the specific country (e.g., relevant research carried at the national level, suggestions for pilot projects, etc.).

In addition to nominated regular action participants, several observers were invited to action meetings, representing organizations with an interest in shortsea shipping. Regular observers included ECSA, ESPO, and EFIP.
The Technical Secretariat of this concerted action was a four-partner consortium that manages the action on behalf of the Commission.

PARTNERS

The Coordinator of the Consortium (partner no. 1) was the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. NTUA's role within this concerted action was to coordinate the technical aspects of the action, such as compile the state of the art study, synthesize input on pilot projects, monitor related DGVII projects, and write the final report.

Partner No.2 was the Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE). Its in this concerted action was to provide administrative support.

Partner No. 3 was the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL) in Bremen. Its role in this concerted action was to provide technical assistance in monitoring related telematics projects.

Foundation WEGEMT was partner No. 4, and its role in this concerted action is to provide technical assistance in monitoring related ship design/engineering projects.

All results and deliberations of SSS-CA can be found by visiting the following link:     SSS-CA RESULTS