Motorways of the Sea
Transfennica´s MV TRICA
The Motorways of the Sea – the optimum route between two ports in terms of viability, profitability and delivery times with respect to the same route by road – came into being when promoted by the European Union with a view to tackling the high costs and environmental problems produced by road transport.
They differ from Short Sea Shipping in that they constitute an offer that is more similar to sea transport.
According to existing studies carried out by different organisms, motorways of the sea offer haulage contractors unquestionable advantages, such as, cutting distances, savings in general costs – between 6.7% and 18% - with regards to the road.
In September 2007, the first motorway of the sea on the Bay of Biscay began between Spain and Belgium. Transfennica offers five weekly sailings from Bilbao to the Belgian port Zeebrugge with three modern vessels, equipped with the means to transport driver-free lorries, platforms, containers and high & heavies. In addition, cold goods are also accepted.
The trip lasts 38 hours and there are sailings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from both ports.