Kustvaart

Kustvaart, or coastal shipping, is maritime transport that operates along coastlines and within regional waters, typically between ports that are relatively close to land and within territorial seas. It covers cargo and passenger movements on short-sea routes rather than long ocean crossings. In the Dutch context, kustvaart historically referred to the transport of goods by small to mid-sized vessels that operate between Dutch and neighboring ports along the North Sea and Baltic, as well as ferries and service vessels along the coast.

Vessels used in kustvaart include coasters, small bulk carriers, container feeders, survey and tug vessels, and passenger ferries. They typically handle bulky or time-sensitive cargo, such as bulk minerals, aggregates, timber, vehicles, and containers, serving regional economies and hinterland connections. Routes connect major ports (Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Amsterdam) with smaller coastal towns and islands, and may include cross-border legs across the North Sea and Baltic.

Coastal shipping is regulated by international maritime law (SOLAS, MARPOL), flag state and port state controls, and national maritime authorities. The European Union has promoted short sea shipping as a means to relieve road congestion and reduce emissions by shifting cargo from road to sea for regional transport. In practice, kustvaart functions as a link between inland transport networks and larger deep-sea trade, supporting port traffic and regional supply chains.

With containerisation and hinterland integration, kustvaart remains important for certain cargo chains and for ferry links to islands and between regional ports. The balance between costs, speed, and flexibility shapes its development; automation and digitalization are increasingly applied in port operations and ship management.