What if ferries stopped running tomorrow? The unseen role of the ships that keep Europe's islands connected

From delivering essential goods and medicines to connecting communities and supporting local economies, ferries play a crucial role in everyday life across Europe, one that goes far beyond tourism.

When we think of ferries, we usually picture holidays and travel: summer escapes to Sardinia, Corsica, Norway or Greece, driving aboard with the car and setting off to discover somewhere new. But behind every crossing lies a much bigger story. Ferries are part of an essential economic and social network, one whose importance often goes unnoticed by holidaymakers.

According to Eurostat, ports across the European Union recorded 417.8 million passenger movements in 2024, a 6.2% increase on the previous year. While these figures include different types of maritime passenger transport, they highlight just how important sea connections are to mobility across Europe.

Yet passenger numbers tell only part of the story.

Every day, European ferry routes carry commercial vehicles, food, medicines, medical supplies, industrial materials and countless other goods destined for businesses and island communities.

They also provide essential transport for residents travelling to work, students attending school or university, and people who need to reach mainland hospitals for specialist appointments, treatments or medical procedures unavailable locally.

For many communities, ferries are therefore much more than a convenient way to travel. They are a lifeline, keeping essential supplies moving, supporting local businesses and ensuring access to vital services, including healthcare.

So, just how much do we depend on these connections? And what would happen if ferries suddenly stopped running?

The unseen journey: why ferries matter to European logistics

Much of Europe's maritime transport network relies on roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) and passenger-and-freight (ro-pax) services, which allow lorries, commercial vehicles and trailers to travel by sea as part of wider road transport networks.

Their contribution to European trade is substantial.

According to the UK's Department for Transport, major British ports handled 97 million tonnes of ro-ro freight in 2025, accounting for approximately 23% of their total freight tonnage.

Although these figures also include freight-only vessels, they offer a clear indication of just how important vehicle-based maritime transport is to international trade.

For businesses that rely on regular deliveries, and particularly for regions dependent on maritime connections, these services are an essential part of everyday operations.

From supermarket shelves and industrial supply chains to pharmacies and hospitals, a significant share of Europe's everyday goods depends on reliable ports and shipping routes.

This becomes even more important for island communities, where alternative transport options may be limited and delays can affect much more than commercial activity.

When a ferry service is disrupted for an extended period, the consequences can quickly spread: delayed deliveries, higher transport costs, supply shortages and difficulties maintaining essential services.

From Italy to Northern Europe: connecting people and places

The role of ferries varies considerably across Europe, shaped by geography, infrastructure and the needs of local communities.

In the Mediterranean, islands such as the Balearics, Sardinia, Corsica, Elba and Ischia rely on ferry services not only to welcome tourists but also to connect residents, transport essential goods and provide access to mainland services.

In Norway, ferries serve a somewhat different purpose. With its rugged coastline and countless fjords, the country depends on maritime crossings that effectively form an extension of its road network.

Rather than being an alternative to driving, a ferry journey is often simply part of getting from one place to another.

According to Skyss's 2024 annual report, ferries operating on the county road network in Norway's Vestland region carried 3.2 million vehicles, up 3% on 2023.

Further east, in the Baltic Sea, ferry routes linking Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Poland are important international trade corridors, connecting logistics networks and keeping goods moving between countries.

These regions may look very different, but they share one fundamental need: reliable maritime connections that allow people, businesses and local economies to function smoothly.

What would happen if ferries stopped running?

It is easy to take ferry services for granted when they operate every day. But imagining life without them reveals just how much depends on their regular operation.

The impact of a disruption would vary depending on its duration, the route involved and the availability of alternative connections.

On a major international freight route, goods might be redirected through other ports or transported over longer distances, potentially increasing delivery times and logistics costs.

For an island with only a handful of maritime connections, however, the consequences could be far more serious.

A prolonged suspension could mean delayed supplies, difficulties for local businesses and restricted mobility for residents, particularly those who depend on ferry services to reach work, education or healthcare.

And while some routes have alternatives, others simply cannot be replaced easily, especially when commercial vehicles or large quantities of goods need to be transported.

This is why the importance of a ferry route cannot be measured by passenger numbers or freight volumes alone.

What matters just as much is how heavily a community depends on that connection.

Recognising this need, the European Union's Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 allows public service obligations to be established on certain island shipping routes, helping to safeguard the continuity and regularity of essential maritime connections.

Much more than a means of transport

Passenger statistics, freight volumes and transport data from across Europe reveal a sector whose importance extends well beyond the holiday industry.

Ferries help people reach work, education and healthcare. They support businesses, keep supply chains moving and connect communities that might otherwise face greater isolation.

For island populations in particular, reliable ferry services are not simply a matter of convenience. They are an essential part of everyday life.

Their true value lies not only in the people and vehicles they carry, but also in the economic stability, accessibility and opportunities they help preserve.

And that is perhaps the most important thing to remember about ferries.

They do more than connect two ports. They keep communities, businesses and people connected, supporting the everyday life and local economies of Europe's islands.