What are the functions and characteristics of maritime cargo transportation?

What are the characteristics of sea freight transportation?

1. Large transportation volume. International freight transportation is the exchange of goods worldwide, and geographical location and conditions determine that sea freight transportation is the main means of international freight transportation. More than 75% of the total international trade volume is accomplished through maritime transportation, with some countries' foreign trade transportation accounting for over 90% of the volume. The main reason is the development of large-scale ships, such as giant oil tankers of 500000 to 700000 tons, bulk carriers of 160000 to 170000 tons, and container ships. The carrying capacity of ships is much greater than that of trains, cars, and airplanes, making them transportation vehicles with larger capacity.

2. Through great ability. Maritime transportation utilizes natural waterways that extend in all directions, unlike trains and cars that are limited by tracks and roads, thus its throughput capacity exceeds other modes of transportation. If there are changes in political, economic, military and other conditions, the route can be changed at any time to a destination port that is conducive to loading and unloading.

3. Low shipping cost. The natural composition of a ship's waterway results in a large volume of cargo, and port equipment is generally built by the government. Ships are durable and fuel-efficient, so the unit transportation cost of goods is relatively low. According to statistics, sea freight is generally about 1/5 of railway freight, 1/10 of road truck freight, and 1/30 of air freight, which provides favorable competitive conditions for the transportation of low value bulk goods.

4. Strong adaptability to goods. Due to the above characteristics, sea freight transportation is basically suitable for the transportation of various goods. Extra heavy goods such as oil wellheads, trains, locomotives and vehicles cannot be transported by other modes of transportation, but ships can generally transport them.

5. The transportation speed is slow. Due to the large volume of merchant ships, high resistance to water flow, and various other factors such as long loading and unloading times, the transportation speed of goods is slower than other modes of transportation. The fast sailing speed of the liner is only about 30 nautical miles per hour.

6. The risk is relatively high. Due to the significant influence of natural climate and seasonality on ship navigation at sea, the marine environment is complex and the weather is unpredictable. There is always a possibility of encountering natural disasters such as strong winds, huge waves, storms, lightning, and tsunamis that are difficult for humans to resist. The likelihood of encountering danger is greater than that of land and coastal areas. At the same time, there are social risks associated with maritime transportation, such as the impact of war, trade embargoes, and other factors. To transfer losses, the insurance of goods and ships transported by sea should be given special attention.

What is the function of maritime cargo transportation?

1. Ocean freight transportation is the main mode of international trade transportation

Although international ocean freight transportation has the disadvantages of low speed and high risk, it has become the main mode of transportation in international trade due to its high throughput, large capacity, low freight rates, and strong adaptability to goods, as well as its unique geographical conditions worldwide. 80% to 90% of China's total import and export cargo transportation is carried out through ocean transportation. Due to the rise and development of container transportation, not only has cargo transportation developed towards centralization and rationalization, but it has also saved packaging materials and miscellaneous fees, reduced cargo damage and difference, ensured transportation quality, shortened transportation time, and thus reduced transportation costs.

2. Ocean freight transportation is one of the important channels for countries to save foreign exchange payments and increase foreign exchange income

In China, freight expenses generally account for about 10% of the total import and export volume, especially for bulk goods. If international trade terms are fully utilized in trade and we strive to send more ships, not only can we save foreign exchange payments, but we can also gain more foreign exchange income. Specially investing our country's transportation capacity into the international shipping market, actively carrying out transportation to third countries, and creating foreign exchange revenue for the country. Countries around the world, especially coastal developing countries, attach great importance to establishing their own ocean going fleets and developing maritime cargo transportation. In some developed shipping countries, foreign exchange freight income has become an important pillar of their national economy.

3. Developing the ocean transportation industry is beneficial for improving the country's industrial structure and the structure of international trade exports

Marine transportation relies on the practice of maritime activities, which are based on shipbuilding, maritime technology, and skilled seafarers. The shipbuilding industry is a comprehensive industry, and its development can drive the development of the steel industry, shipbuilding equipment industry, and electronic instrument industry, promoting the improvement of the entire country's industrial structure. China has gradually transformed from a country that used to import ships to a country that exports ships in recent years, and is moving towards becoming a major exporter of ships. Due to the continuous development of China's maritime technology, the dispatch of crew members for labor has attracted the attention of countries around the world. The development of the ocean transportation industry has made China's ocean shipping fleet one of the top 10 in the world, providing conditions for large-scale ship dismantling in the future. It not only provides cheap raw materials, saves energy, and consumes imported ores for China's steel plants, but also allows for the export of scrap steel. It can be seen that the development of the ocean transportation industry can not only improve the national industrial structure, but also enhance the commodity structure in international trade.