DOI: 10.18848/2325-1166/cgp/a208 ISSN: 2325-1182

Sustainable Ferry Accessibility in Mediterranean Island Regions

Ioannis M. Sitzimis
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Sustainable accessibility in Mediterranean island coastal shipping systems is not only a transport and technological issue but also a policy issue. Sustainability in coastal shipping should not be understood only as a matter of reducing emissions or decarbonizing the fleet, as on islands, coastal shipping services also function as basic infrastructure for social cohesion, territorial continuity, tourist activity, and daily mobility. We propose a concise conceptual and policy framework based on the interrelated dimensions of environmental transition, social and territorial accessibility, and economic–operational sustainability. Indicative policy tensions include the cost of fleet renewal, the seasonal imbalance between tourist demand and residents’ needs, the limitations of port and energy infrastructure, and the role of public services. We believe that the transition to cleaner coastal shipping services should be designed as an accessibility transition and not just a technological transition. For Mediterranean islands, the framework underlines that the green transition must be linked to maintaining reliable and affordable connections throughout the year.

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