Actors and Practices in Hinterland Port Connections: Axes or European Transport Network?

The actions of the private and public operators involved in the hinterland connections of European ports renew the modalities of freight transportation. New services based on railway shuttles increase the number of connections between the ports of southern and northern Europe and inland locations. The analysis of some of these services reveals that the relations among actors required to set up a full range of hinterland connections of maritime chains are based on a logic of cooperation rather than integration. This cooperation based on railways and combined transportation is leading to an axial system of connections linking the main ports together, thus broadening the possibilities for European freight transport.