Achievements and outcomes of the project activities

Inter-modal transport system
The increasing use and effectiveness of inter-modal transport systems was a major focus of this theme.

Network of Regional Maritime Competence Centres (REMARC II) emphasised the integration of waterborne transport into inter-modal transport and logistic chains with the aim of shifting cargo from road to waterborne transport. The follow-up project, The Role of North Sea Ports and Future Challenges in Maritime Logistics (initiated by the Network of REgional MARitime Competence Centres - REMARCC) (NSP-Future), analysed the role of the North Sea ports in maritime logistics as well as identifying the future challenges that ports have to cope with to maintain their role in the whole logistics chain. The project identified that a significant change in the market has been the arrival of deep-sea container carriers, above 12.000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) that has resulted in the need for structural change in the distribution system.

New strategies, product concepts and further co-operation between companies pointed to the need for structural change. Following on from this, inter-modal solutions were debated among politicians and industry, and the importance of sustainable approaches became evident as a source of economic growth, in which the North Sea Region could simultaneously achieve competitive advantage and positive environmental impact.

Nordic Transport Political Network (NTN II) focused on goods transport systems in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. It created ‘Hydrogen Link’, a cross-border infrastructure development of hydrogen filling stations between the participating countries. This attracted political and media attention, and remains the subject of further research and development activity.

Facilities for improving sustainable transport links, particularly in the context of the modal shift of transport from road to water or rail was a linked focus of this theme. Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) facilitated the safe development of the maritime route from the Barents Region along the Norwegian coast to the core of Europe. The project fostered 14 initiatives for new or improved short shipping services (SSS). These initiatives led to an increase in business-to-business co-operation between ports and industry. A good example of this approach was the alliance of cargo owners, transport operators and terminals that developed a RORO service from the Trondheim area of Norway to the UK and the Continent. On the policy level, the project was promoted as a ‘Motorway of the Sea’ in the Trans-European Network. In 2005, the EU’s High Level Group presented their final report on the extension of the major Trans-European transport axes to the neighbouring countries and regions, including the concept of the ‘Motorways of the Sea’. The project was unique in the sense that two IIIB programmes (Northern Periphery and North Sea) implemented their parallel projects as one and following on from this success, (NMC II) Motorways of the Northern Seas was set up to progress the co-operation further.

Similar co-operation was achieved through Sustainable Accessibility between Hinterlands and Gateways around the North Sea (SustAccess). This fostered the establishment of transport knowledge centres and their links with the transport departments of regional universities with a view to sharing expertise in moving short distance freight transport, from road to rail or water. The project managed to involve national stakeholders in order to secure future policy implementation, especially in Aberdeenshire, Scotland (where a regional freight study gained national recognition); in Falköping, Sweden (where the dryport concept was progressed) and in Emsland, Germany (where a policy development group of Niedersachsen considered the federal strategy regarding hinterland connections).

Passenger traffic
A long-term improvement in the effectiveness of freight flows has clearly been contributed to by the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme. In addition, the region also saw beneficial project outcomes that supported passenger traffic.

Largely as a result of the transnational exchanges, Shared Space – Reconciling people, places and transport developed and facilitated a new understanding of traffic movement within cities, towns and villages. The concept introduced good urban design to improve accessibility, safety, quality of life and local identity.

Travel Awareness Regional Groups for Environmental Transport 2A (Target 2) focused on different modes of mobility management in order to facilitate the use of alternatives to the car. In Leeds, UK, drivers who joined a car-sharing scheme received a 15% reduction in the cost of an annual MetroCard, which could be used on buses and trains across West Yorkshire.
   
HiTrans – Development of principles and strategies for introducing high quality public transport in medium size cities and urban regions focused on transnational research developing principles and strategies for introducing high quality public transport in medium size cities and urban regions. The main achievement was a best practice guide on High Quality Public Transport in medium sized cities and urban regions that offered professional planners a very useful and practical tool. The best practice guide attracted interest from the USA, Australia and Nigeria.

Regional air transport system
Alternative strategies for regional airports and regional air transport systems were also an important feature within this theme. The Sustainable and Efficient Air Transport – Platform for Linked Analysis of the North Sea Air Transport Environment (SEAPLANE) aimed to strengthen regional airports and improve the accessibility of peripheral regions. A report of the SEAPLANE project activities that drew attention to the challenges to expansion of regional airports was presented to the public and representatives of EC DG TREN and DG REGIO in Brussels in November 2004 under the direction of the North Sea Commission. Several Members of the European Parliament and members of national parliaments supported the recommendations of the project.

Lasting legacy for the North Sea Region through the projects' achievements

The impact of project outcomes in this theme can be seen well beyond the North Sea Region, as far as the Russian Federation, the USA, Australia, Nigeria and beyond. Shared Space – Reconciling people, places and transport received widespread attention in Europe for its exceptional and innovative approach to the living environment and technology. The project was nominated for an annual award by The World Technology Network (WTN).

Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) created an important co-operation between public and private sectors in the North West Russian federation locations of Murmansk, Archangelsk and Nenets. Contacts were also made with central ministries and industries in Moscow, focussing on petroleum sector transport and maritime safety, as well as developing container services. The project was also among the finalists of the DG Regio’s RegioStars Awards in 2009.