Comparative Study of Freight Ferry Services in the South Baltic Sea
Purpose: The aim of this article is to analyse ferry services in the South Baltic Sea in terms of the availability for the customers (road hauliers and freight forwarders) as well as quality of transport services. Design/Methodology/Approach: The following research methods were used in the study: literature review, desk research and comparative analysis. Findings: A comparative analysis of ferry services in terms of cargo turnover aims to compare the following key elements:sailing time between the ports, number and timing of departures, number of shipping companies and vessels operating the connections, prices and tariffs, and transported volumes. These are crucial quality factors for ferry operator customers. Practical Implications: The article emphasizes that the components of the comparative analysis presented in the article are crucial for road hauliers and freight forwarders. They provide information on transport capacity in the maritime section of road-ferry transport chains. Originality/Value: Literature related to the ferry sector is not extensive, it includes a relatively small number of scientific articles and monographs. The aim of the analysis is to fill the research gap in studies concerning the ferry sector. As there are no current analyses of the ferry line operations in terms of cargo capacity availability on individual lines in the South Baltic Sea.