# Coastal Freight Services

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> Unlike deep-sea shipping, which bridges continents, coastal freight services connect neighbouring ports within the same maritime region – a segment commonly referred to as short-sea shipping.

Unlike deep-sea shipping, which bridges continents, coastal freight services connect neighbouring ports within the same maritime region – a segment commonly referred to as short-sea shipping. Carriers deploy purpose-built coasters with shallow drafts, capable of calling at smaller harbours and handling cargo volumes that large container vessels cannot serve economically. Typical examples include feeder services linking North Sea ports or Ro-Ro routes along Mediterranean coastlines. For shippers, the appeal lies in reliable schedules and a genuine alternative to road freight; the trade-off is longer transit times compared to direct trucking. Coastal freight services should not be confused with cabotage rights, the separate legal framework governing domestic transport by foreign carriers.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_trading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_trading)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Coastal Freight Services |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 110 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_trading |

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