ABSTRACT
In a number of countries there is competition between coastal navigation and inland transport, particularly so far as national coastal navigation, between ports of one and same country is concerned. The position of coastal navigation becomes even more difficult by virtue of the fact that in certain countries the rates quoted by the railways for carriage to and from the ports involving trans-shipment are comparatively high. The rates policy in coastal navigation is largely determined by agreements between the owners. A coordination of national coastal navigation and inland transport might be feasible as long as the former is a preserve of the national flag. Scheduled services within a given country are frequently part of international scheduled services and there is a daily change-over of tramp ships from national trades to international trades. The railways are at any rate compelled to apply special rates in view of the competition by road haulage services which are running in parallel with railway lines.
