The feasibility of implementing short sea shipping between two specific ports has been typically conducted from the perspective of each of the agents involved separately. Additionally, the most common approach has been on the operative level, in terms of time and cost for a specific origin–destination pair. This paper focuses on the strategic level. Particularly, its goal is to study the potential of short sea shipping in different industrial sectors by analysing their freight distribution strategies. To achieve the objective, some standard freight distribution strategies are defined, based on the requirements of the industry itself, the demand and the product being transported, and the importance of each in the decision-making about the distribution strategy. Also, a survey of companies has been done. The results allow evaluation of the suitability of adapting the distribution strategy of each industry to include a Short Sea Shipping leg.