ABSTRACT
Broadly speaking, multi-modal transport through filling the missing links and transfers to less congested and more environmentally friendly modes can achieve some of the central objectives of the EC. However, the higher the costs of road movements are and the more efficient combined transport operations, the more attractive multi-modal transport services become, and the appropriate distance is reduced. Multi-modal transport operation should take into account the various characteristics of the European transport system. The development of a multi-modal transport system in Europe would materially promote sustainable mobility and improve the accessibility of peripheral regions. The EC plan on infrastructure projects with multi-modal transport potential is merely indicative and non-binding. Modern ports play an important role in multi-modal transport since their infrastructure allow them to receive and store goods in massive quantities and to tranship them over long distances by vessels or other inland transport modes.
