Photo credit: Chutiporn Chaitachawong

This 2006 study was commissioned by the Center for the Commercial Development of Transportation Technologies at California State University, Long Beach. One of its conclusions was that costs on a Southern California to Pacific Northwest route could be 36%-47% cheaper than trucking rates.

“In the Northern California to Southern California route, SSS costs compared to prevailing truck rates range from 70% to 100% depending on the assumed scenario (with our without favorable negotiated terminal costs, and with a 27 knot cruising speed or 32 knot cruising speed).  In the Northern California to Pacific Northwest route, SSS costs range from 67% to 95% of prevailing truck rates depending on the scenario. In the Southern California to Pacific Northwest route, SSS costs range from 36% to 47% of the prevailing truck rates.”

Download: “Feasibility Assessment of Short Sea Shipping to Service the Pacific Coast“