The effect of supply chain structure on the potential for modal shift. Evidence from the UK Marine Motorways Study

Despite its extensive coastline and network of ports the UK has ignored the potential of coastal RoRo ferries with rail freight seen as the only significant alternative to road freight. The ‘UK Marine Motorway Study’ is the first research study to provide a comprehensive review of the potential role of high-speed ferries in the long distance domestic freight market of the UK. From evidence gathered during interviews the structure of supply chains is seen as a major influence and limiting factor not only for coastal Ro-Ro ferries but also for any mode that seeks to compete with road. By using a taxonomy of supply chains defined by time the transport and ferry markets can be segmented. This segmentation not only helps to define the ferry service mix but also indicates how the ability of other modes to compete with road are constrained. Finally like other combined transport solutions the RoRo concept was found to be limited by the interface costs between the ‘alternative’ mode and the road network.