INTERFACE aim is to develop SBA ports to modern service oriented hubs for (intermodal) cross-border passenger traffic. Minimum and high quality standards to achieve this are defined in a benchmark study. The final results of this analysis, conducted by PLANCO Consulting Ltd., have recently been presented at the INTERFACE meeting in Rostock (28 April 2011).

The study evaluates the performance of different services in selected ferry ports of the South Baltic area and their hinterland. Basing on this, deficits are identified and necessary actions to improve the situation developed. The analysis bases on interviews with experts, such as ferry operators, port and terminal operators, on-site evaluations and study trips on selected ferrys in autumn 2010.

Here you can now download the summary of the study. The complete report is available for download here!

Over 3.000 Interviews with (foot) passengers in South Baltic

Between summer 2010 and spring 2011 (foot) passengers on the ferry routes Gdynia-Karlskrona and Rostock-Gedser were interviewed regarding their attitudes on services and service infrastructure given in respective ferry ports/ terminals. To analyse the current situation from the customer perspective it is essentiell to improve conditions for foot passengers, to develop cross-border passenger traffic to a comfortable, cheap and environmental friendly alternative to travel within South Baltic Area. In April 2011 the results for all 4 interfaces have been presented at the INTERFACE project meeting in Rostock.

Prof. Dr. Benkenstein, director of the Baltic institute of Marketing, Transport and tourism and responsible for the study in Rostock, stated 3 success factors:

• concerted and transparent passenger information regarding the new offer
• the opportunity to purchase ferry and bus tickets online
• flexibility in case of delays.

Results of all 4 surveys can be downloaded here:

• Passenger Requirement Analysis Rostock (Final Report)
• Passenger Requirement Analysis Gedser (Final Report)
• Passenger Requirement Analysis Gdynia (Final Report)
• Passenger Requirement Analysis Karlskrona (Final Report)

The results will now be used by port, terminal and ferry operators to improve the services according to the demand of customers.

Project website www.interfaceproject.eu has been uploaded on 10th of March 2010. Information on project, upcoming activities, achievements, news and events are available here.

In summer 2009 a Call for ideas for the development of Logo and Corporate Design has been opened by project. Students in the fields of design and graphic or similar study courses like visual communication or media design in the South Baltic Area in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Poland has been invited to send their proposals.Polish student Eurydyka Kata came up as the winner of the competition and will be used for the uniform promotion of the EU Project “INTERFACE.

Associated partners like Stena Line, Scandlines and Movia have been involved in project activities like cross-border operator workshops and passenger requirement analysis. Further representatives and decison makers beyond partnership e.g. from tourism sector, public transport and ferry operators support INTERFACE partners in project implementation.