European Commission; Interreg III, meer, financier
This 3-year project led by the UK’s South East England Development Agency brings together 11 partners with the objective of developing sustainable freight transport services between the South East of England, France and Belgium, including rail-ferry services and hinterland connections. The FINESSE project entails research and practical preparations for sustainable, intermodal transport and logistical operations, in particular, by way of transferring freight onto rail-ferries between Dover and Calais, and shipping containers and trailers. The partners will carry out feasibility studies, develop business plans, design marketing tools, and negotiate with potential operators. They may envisage submitting future applications for Interreg and/or Marco-Polo based on the results of the project. The issue of rail-ferry cargo transport and the movement of hazardous goods is highly relevant for the NWE region, thus Interreg IIIB is regarded as an extremely suitable vehicle for tackling this issue, which, ultimately depends upon transnational co-operation. The project brings together port authorities, regional authorities and chambers of commerce, and is a highly innovative attempt to co-ordinate strategies across the English Channel/La Manche region and between its port network, the benefits of which could extend far beyond port hinterlands, as far as Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
