shipping
Quick Summary
Shipping is the transportation of goods and passengers by water, serving as a cornerstone of global trade. It is responsible for moving the majority of raw materials, components, and finished products that fuel the economy. This method of transport is efficient and relatively low-cost, enabling the import and export of goods and supporting billions of livelihoods worldwide.1
Historically, early civilizations relied on watercraft for transport. Ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans all utilized waterways. By 200 CE, Chinese ships were undertaking sea voyages, and they also depended on internal waterways for moving food to cities. Japan, too mountainous for extensive road networks, also used internal and coastal waterways for shipping from early times.1
The development of shipping has been significantly influenced by trade routes, such as the spice trade, and discoveries like gold. It has shaped the formation of port cities globally. From the 17th to 19th centuries, the slave trade was a major feature of Atlantic shipping, contributing to the growth of fleets in various countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, nations like the U.S., England, Germany, Norway, Japan, and the Netherlands became prominent in shipping, with Asian countries leading in the early 21st century.1
Modern shipping faces environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, pollution, and noise that harms marine life. Ship strikes also contribute to whale mortality, and the release of ballast water can introduce invasive species.1
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railroadAdvances in traction systems…locomotives make such routinization of freight operation possible but they also reduced labour demands greatly. Refueling engines required only pumping heavy fuel oil at infrequent intervals; locomotives frequently ran coast-to-coast with only changes of crew and refueling.
Read More…locomotives make such routinization of freight operation possible but they also reduced labour demands greatly. Refueling engines required only pumping heavy fuel oil at infrequent intervals; locomotives frequently ran coast-to-coast with only changes of crew and refueling.
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traffic controlTraffic elements…business of moving passengers and freight long distances (intercity service). In some countries, this dual function has remained with some or all aspects of the passenger and freight carriage being subsidized by national governments. In the United States, the long-distance passenger service, with isolated exceptions, is now conducted by airlines.…
Read More…business of moving passengers and freight long distances (intercity service). In some countries, this dual function has remained with some or all aspects of the passenger and freight carriage being subsidized by national governments. In the United States, the long-distance passenger service, with isolated exceptions, is now conducted by airlines.…
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Atlantic OceanTrade and transportation…the world’s largest volume of shipping. The opening of the Suez and Panama canals, the development of hydrocarbon production in the Persian Gulf, and the growing importance of Pacific trade have shifted the pattern of world trade away from the North Atlantic. Nonetheless, the location of major consumer markets in…
Read More…the world’s largest volume of shipping. The opening of the Suez and Panama canals, the development of hydrocarbon production in the Persian Gulf, and the growing importance of Pacific trade have shifted the pattern of world trade away from the North Atlantic. Nonetheless, the location of major consumer markets in…
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Black SeaEconomic aspects…Sea is an important year-round transportation artery, linking the eastern European countries with world markets. Odessa, the historic Ukrainian city, together with the nearby port of Illichivsk, account for most of the sea’s freight turnover. The ports of Novorossiysk and, to a lesser extent, Tuapse (both in Russia) and Batumi…
Read More…Sea is an important year-round transportation artery, linking the eastern European countries with world markets. Odessa, the historic Ukrainian city, together with the nearby port of Illichivsk, account for most of the sea’s freight turnover. The ports of Novorossiysk and, to a lesser extent, Tuapse (both in Russia) and Batumi…
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Indian OceanTrade and transportationShipping in the Indian Ocean can be divided into three components: dhows, dry-cargo carriers, and tankers. For more than two millennia the small, lateen-rigged sailing vessels called dhows were predominant. The dhow trade was particularly important in the western Indian Ocean, where those vessels could…
Read MoreShipping in the Indian Ocean can be divided into three components: dhows, dry-cargo carriers, and tankers. For more than two millennia the small, lateen-rigged sailing vessels called dhows were predominant. The dhow trade was particularly important in the western Indian Ocean, where those vessels could…
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North SeaTrade and transportation…is one of the busiest shipping areas in the world, not only because of vessels moving to and from its ports but also because of transit traffic with the Baltic. Merchant vessels must share space with fishing vessels and offshore oil and gas platforms. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom…
Read More…is one of the busiest shipping areas in the world, not only because of vessels moving to and from its ports but also because of transit traffic with the Baltic. Merchant vessels must share space with fishing vessels and offshore oil and gas platforms. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom…
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Panama CanalShips sailing between the east and west coasts of the United States, which otherwise would be obliged to round Cape Horn in South America, shorten their voyage by about 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) by using the canal. Savings of up to 3,500 nautical miles…
Read MoreShips sailing between the east and west coasts of the United States, which otherwise would be obliged to round Cape Horn in South America, shorten their voyage by about 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) by using the canal. Savings of up to 3,500 nautical miles…
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shipCargo carriers…distinguished by the type of cargo they carry, especially since the means of handling the cargo is often highly visible. As noted below (see Cargo handling), the trend is toward specialization in this regard. One consequence is a proliferation in types of cargo vessel. The present discussion is limited to…
Read More…distinguished by the type of cargo they carry, especially since the means of handling the cargo is often highly visible. As noted below (see Cargo handling), the trend is toward specialization in this regard. One consequence is a proliferation in types of cargo vessel. The present discussion is limited to…
Read More- shipThe liner trade
Shipping companies of different ownership and nationality that service the same range of ports form a conference agreement to regulate rates for each type of freight; in some cases the agreement also allocates a specified number of sailings to each company. Coupled with this agreement…
Read MoreShipping companies of different ownership and nationality that service the same range of ports form a conference agreement to regulate rates for each type of freight; in some cases the agreement also allocates a specified number of sailings to each company. Coupled with this agreement…
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St. Lawrence RiverThe economy… and in the American Midwest, shipped at considerable savings. Major users of the river and seaway are vessels known as lakers, which are designed to the maximum limits of the seaway locks in order to facilitate two-way trade. A laker can pick up grain in the western Great Lakes, destined…
Read More… and in the American Midwest, shipped at considerable savings. Major users of the river and seaway are vessels known as lakers, which are designed to the maximum limits of the seaway locks in order to facilitate two-way trade. A laker can pick up grain in the western Great Lakes, destined…
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ocean liner…regular schedule of designated ports, carrying whatever cargo and passengers are available on the date of sailing. The first liners were operated in the North Atlantic, notably by Samuel Cunard of Britain, beginning in 1840. Cunard liners continued to be leaders, though soon joined by French, German, U.S., and other…
Read More…regular schedule of designated ports, carrying whatever cargo and passengers are available on the date of sailing. The first liners were operated in the North Atlantic, notably by Samuel Cunard of Britain, beginning in 1840. Cunard liners continued to be leaders, though soon joined by French, German, U.S., and other…
Read More- tramp steamer
…steamer, one of the two principal types of merchant ships as classified by operating method (the other is the ocean liner). The tramp steamer, in contrast to the liner, operates without a schedule, going wherever required to deliver its cargoes. The tramp is a descendant of the early merchant ships…
Read More…steamer, one of the two principal types of merchant ships as classified by operating method (the other is the ocean liner). The tramp steamer, in contrast to the liner, operates without a schedule, going wherever required to deliver its cargoes. The tramp is a descendant of the early merchant ships…
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