Written by Christopher on July 27, 2022

What is ship transportation?

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What is ship transportation? Let’s learn about different types of ship transportation, including containerized freight, transoceanic shipping routes, and ferry services. In addition, we will discuss Maritime terminals, which are used to handle shipments. You can also find more information about the various modes of ship transportation by reading at csatransportation.com. 

Containerized freight

Every day, thousands of containers arrive at seaports for transport. Liner ships transport the containers on fixed routes, offering regular service. Each shipment represents a specific supply chain: patio furniture from Thailand bound for a retailer in Milan, avocados from Chile wrapped for a supermarket in Berlin, and shoes from China bound for an athletic supply store in Europe or North America. This method of transportation reduces costs, eliminates damage and theft, and streamlines the distribution process.

When ship transportation occurs, the containers are monitored using computer systems. These systems can detect anomalies, such as the presence of hazardous materials, and alert the proper authorities. In addition, containers are secured to prevent theft. Some ships require an additional level of security. This type of shipping is especially useful when cargo is stored in a warehouse. Containers can be tracked through various means, including bar-coded RFID tags, making them easy to trace and track.

Near-coastal and transoceanic shipping routes

The oceans represent a continuous domain. It means that ships can theoretically choose any route between two points. However, navigation schemes must take physical and economic factors into account. 

This analysis compares the routes with the same departure and arrival points. For instance, if two different shipping routes go from the Caribbean to the United States, the comparison would be more accurate if the departure and arrival points were the same. Otherwise, the comparison will only be valid if both routes are the same length. However, it is worth noting that southern routes generally take longer to sail.

Ferry services

Ferry services are ship transportation services that move passengers and their vehicles between ports. These vessels range from small boats to huge sea-going vessels carrying heavy cargo and often require overnight accommodations. Ferry services are an important part of the maritime industry, with the global ferry industry accounting for a third of all air travel. According to some estimates, over four billion passengers and three hundred million vehicles are transported by ferries worldwide each year.

Most ferry operators report generating a portion of their revenue from ticket sales. For example, 54.6 percent reported earning between 75 and 100 percent of their revenue from ticket sales. However, fewer operators received federal or state funding, though the percentage they received was between 75 and 100 percent. In addition, many of these services are primarily used for leisure and sightseeing, with no business-to-business purpose. And, if you’re a business owner, you can expand your business by providing better service and more opportunities to attract more customers.

Maritime terminals

While some ports are rapidly improving, others are still using outdated technologies. In places where shipping volumes are high, older technologies may take decades to reach them. Additionally, shipping vessel sizes are increasing, posing a challenge for container terminals. You might be surprised to learn that some port holdings are actually in the business of operating maritime terminals for ship transportation.

A common type of container terminal is the one used for transshipment. This type of terminal handles cargo such as wood, liquid chemicals, food grains, and automobiles. While some terminals specialize in handling specific types of cargo, others specialize in handling all kinds of cargo. These terminals are also called operating terminals. These facilities handle various ship ladings, which stevedores often handle.

Efficiency of shipping

One way to make shipping more energy efficient is to use less fuel. The shipping industry accounts for approximately three to four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. It transports over 47,000 big ships carrying bulk cargo, like coal, iron ore, and other materials necessary for modern society. Meanwhile, more than 6,100 container ships have consumer goods. While some improvements may seem minor, they could make shipping more efficient, reducing emissions and costs.

Energy efficiency has become more important to ship operators as the container industry grows. With low freight rates, fuel costs can become a major cost, so shipping efficiency is essential. CE Delft has conducted a study of containerships that entered service between 2009 and 2014. They found that 90 percent had EIVs that were below the reference line. In 2013, 51 percent of containerships met the EEDI of 2020, and 65 percent did so in 2014.