ANNOUNCEMENT
National Short Sea Promotion Centers Renamed Short Sea Centers
Monday 5th October 2026
As part of the historic and founding decision of the European Union (COM 1999/317), through which the European Commission established the legal and geographical definition of short sea shipping, the strategic decision adopted by the General Assembly of the European Shortsea Network (ESN) has now been fully implemented. Accordingly, all national Short Sea Promotion Centres (SPCs) have officially been renamed Short Sea Centres (SSCs).
This initiative marks the natural continuation of the evolution of the SPCs, which have successfully fulfilled their founding objective of raising broad awareness of the importance of shortsea shipping and its indisputable contribution to the European economy, social cohesion and the resilience and continuity of transport services.
The new designation confirms the beginning of a new chapter for the SSCs, with a strengthened role and a broader set of objectives: (i) active engagement in the national policy frameworks of Member States concerning shortsea shipping; (ii) providing comprehensive and well-substantiated information on European policy decisions; (iii) supporting the implementation of European transport policies that strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of shortsea shipping across all Member States; and (iv) maintaining close coordination and ongoing consultation with European decision-making bodies through the ESN. The effective promotion of shortsea shipping will, of course, remain an integral part of our activities, serving both as a supporting function and as a key instrument in achieving these objectives.
It is important to note that, beyond the change in name, the role of the SSCs has, by necessity, evolved as the current European maritime policy landscape extends far
beyond the promotion of shortsea shipping. The implementation of the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package, the uptake of alternative fuels, the strengthening of supply-chain resilience, the digital transformation of transport, and the development of a competitive European maritime industry all require continuous dialogue between policymakers and the shortsea shipping sector, as well as active engagement grounded in expertise and operational experience.
Since its establishment, ESN has consistently and diligently fulfilled the responsibilities entrusted to it. Today, it has evolved into a European platform for cooperation, bringing together the expertise, operational experience and in-depth market knowledge of its members. Through its national centers, the ESN constitutes the only European network dedicated exclusively to short sea shipping.
We are confident that this new identity will further strengthen ESN’s contribution to the European transport agenda and consolidate our long-standing cooperation with the European Commission, with the shared objective of fostering a more competitive, resilient and sustainable European maritime transport system.