Ferry Crossings in Road Transport – Benefits of Working with a Logistics Operator

Road transport is one of the key components of European supply chains. In many international transport relations it also includes ferry crossings, which make it possible to efficiently cover sections separated by sea—for example, in transport from Poland to Scandinavia or in deliveries to islands such as Mallorca or Sicily. How can transport involving ferry crossings be best organized, and what benefits come from cooperating with a logistics operator?

In international transport—both full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL)—the most efficient solution is when the entire process is managed by a single logistics operator. At Rohlig SUUS Logistics, we organize transport in a door-to-door model: from collecting the goods at the sender’s premises, through organizing the entire transport process, including ferry crossings, to delivery to the final consignee.

Two basic operational models are used in ferry transport:

• Accompanied transport – the truck drives onto the ferry, the driver travels on board, and after arrival continues the road transport.
• Unaccompanied trailer transport – the trailer is delivered to the port, transported by ferry without the tractor unit, and on the other side is collected by a different vehicle.

The second model is increasingly used in international supply chains, as it allows for more efficient utilization of the vehicle fleet.

Ferry Routes in European Road Transport

Ferry crossings are most commonly used on routes connecting continental Europe with Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. In practice, this includes, among others, road transport from Poland and Germany to Sweden, as well as shipments from Poland, Germany, France, or the Netherlands to the United Kingdom.

Ferries also play an important role in regional connections in Northern Europe, for example between Denmark and Sweden, or in the Baltic region on routes such as Finland–Estonia.

Such solutions are also used for deliveries to islands located in southern Europe, including Sicily, Mallorca, and Sardinia.

Benefits of Ferry Crossings When Working with a Logistics Operator

Access to markets and regions separated by sea

In many international transport relations, a ferry crossing is the only possible way to execute transport—for example, in the case of island deliveries. Ferries make it possible to maintain the continuity of road transport despite natural geographical barriers.

Shorter transport routes

On many routes, ferry transport offers a more direct alternative to purely road-based transport. For example, when shipping to Scandinavia, it is possible to travel entirely overland through Germany and Denmark; however, a ferry crossing often significantly shortens the route and streamlines the transport process.

Optimal selection of routes and transport connections

An experienced logistics operator selects the appropriate ports and ferry connections, taking into account factors such as the place of loading and unloading, transit time, ferry costs, cargo characteristics, and customer requirements. This makes it possible to plan the most efficient route for a given transport operation.

Operational stability and improved transport control

Logistics operators often have direct contracts with shipping lines, which enables advance booking of ferry space and increases transport predictability. This also allows for better monitoring of the entire operation and faster reaction to any changes.

Optimization of drivers’ working time

During a ferry crossing, drivers may take their legally required rest periods, which facilitates transport planning in compliance with drivers’ working time regulations.

In many international transport relations, ferry crossings are a natural part of road transport. Cooperation with a comprehensive logistics operator makes it possible to plan the entire process in an efficient and predictable manner.