Analysing the Sustainability Tripod in Cabotage Transport

In Brazil, due to its vast territory, cargo movements should be carried out using an intermodal transport model associated with cabotage (cargo transport between ports in the same country). Brazil has more than 7,000 kilometres of coastline, and this natural feature makes coastal transport a viable and important link for healthy integration between modes. Firstly, we need to adjust the legislation (which is outdated and rigid), reduce bureaucracy and improve the Brazilian infrastructure. However, just as important is analysing the capacity of transport companies to offer a sustainable service from the perspective of the "Triple Botton Line" (sustainability tripod: economic, social and environmental). These three elements must establish a harmonious relationship in order to ratify the sustainable success of an organisation, i.e. on the economic side, it must generate profit for shareholders; the impacts that the company causes on its stakeholders (people who impact or are impacted by the activities of an organisation) must ratify social sustainability and; producing without harming the environment makes the company environmentally sustainable.