In accordance with Article 9(2)(b)(i) of the CEF Regulation, studies and / or works related to projects concerning Motorways of the Sea will be supported with the objective to alleviate congestion and/or to reduce the environmental impact of transport through short sea shipping links.

The projects must relate to:

• the upgrade of port infrastructure, hinterland connections and dedicated terminals, where required to establish or expand such short sea shipping links with a focus on cross-border short-sea shipping. Such projects must involve at least one Core Network port in a Member State and another Core or Comprehensive Network port in another Member State. The investments between the ports should be reasonably balanced.

Port infrastructure required for the establishment or upgrade of the maritime link may include, amongst others:

• Providing or improving inland waterways/road/rail access and connectivity with the ports’ hinterland e.g. through the upgrade of the road, railway or inland waterway last mile connections;
• Basic port infrastructure such as turning basins, quay walls, berths, jetties, backfills, land reclamations, which are improving the efficiency of the maritime ports and their integration within the TEN-T network. The backfills and land reclamation could be supported as interventions to create space for construction of other basic port infrastructure, e.g. a berth, quay walls, etc, but should not lead to significant added capacity (i.e. increased surface or creation of new terminals, logistics/cargo handling areas, etc.). Support can also be given to fixed ramps, gangways, auto-mooring systems and other fixed infrastructure needed for the short sea shipping link;
• Port access aiming at providing safe maritime access in the form of breakwaters, access channels, fairways, locks and navigational aids (e.g. radar, buoys);
• Shore-side electricity supply including an upgrade of electrical grid within the port if it is needed for the shore-side electricity supply;
• Port reception facilities for oil and other waste (including residues from exhaust gas cleaning systems) to meet environmental requirements;
• Improvement of port handling capacity through the construction or upgrade of freight and/or passenger terminals, safe and secure parkings (the necessity of the safe and secure parking areas should be clearly demonstrated in the proposal), investments in customs, phytosanitary, immigration or security facilities but excluding administrative / office buildings, passenger car parks, warehouses, storage areas and facilities, etc., and excluding mobile superstructure (e.g. port/terminal equipment and vehicles, mobile ramps, etc.).
• Digitalisation of port operations, excluding support to shipping operators.

Projects facilitating the provision and use of short sea shipping but not linked to specific ports such as ICT platforms, facilities for ice-breaking or activities ensuring year-round navigability. Such projects should benefit and be used by the wider maritime community and must include the participation of at least two entities from two different Member States.

Maritime vessels will not be supported except for ice-breaking activities.