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The transport of goods through ships has been around for centuries. With the onset of globalization, ocean freight has been widely used to transport all sorts of commodities to continents around the world. Here are some things you should know about these routes. 

Shipping routes are responsible for an estimated 90% of global trade.

Hundreds and thousands of ships pass through major shipping routes daily. These ships carry all sorts of cargo to sustain world economies. The world’s busiest shipping routes are used to transport oil, petroleum, food, motor vehicles, and other commodities to all the continents in the world.

English Channel

The English Channel is regarded as the busiest global shipping route, connecting the European continent to the rest of the world. It is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, with over 500 ships passing through the channel daily.

Suez Canal

The Suez Canal became infamous in March 2021, when the massive ship Ever Given got stuck for six days right in the middle of the canal. This caused losses in global trade amounting to an estimated $10 billion. Other than that unfortunate incident, the Suez Canal offers a swift passage between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. An estimated 100 ships pass through the canal daily.

Strait of Malacca

The Strait of Malacca is a narrow body of water and is the quickest route from China to India. Most goods transported in this strait are petroleum, liquid gas, coffee, minerals, and coal.

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is an engineering wonder, with almost 15,000 ships passing through the canal annually. In 2016, the canal was expanded to accommodate more ships daily. Ships that would previously travel around the canal for two weeks can now travel through it in just 10 hours.

Shipping routes make global trade more cost-effective.

Shipping routes are a cheaper alternative to shipping goods by air freight. Because ships can carry more at one time, each trip saves on fuel and cargo costs. Airplanes can carry up to 250 tons of cargo in one flight, while ships can carry more than 150,000 tons! The only downside to ocean freight is the speed of shipping. To alleviate this, many companies order their goods in advance based on economic supply and demand projections.

Different types of ships pass through major shipping routes daily.

Different types of ships pass through shipping routes, all carrying specific types of cargo. Some ships are equipped to carry bulk cargo while some are designed to carry petroleum or oil. Here are some of the different types of ships that traverse each shipping route daily.

Bulk Carrier Ships

Bulk carriers are used to transport bulk cargo. What does this mean? Simply put, the cargo is not packaged individually. Instead, the bulk carrier ship itself acts as the packaging. 

Bulk carrier ships usually transport solid and liquid bulk loads. Solid bulk loads include cement, stones, wood, and grains. When a bulk carrier ship arrives at the port, the container in which the cargo is housed can be directly transported to its destination. For instance, grains can be unloaded into farmlands and cement can be unloaded into construction plants.

Liquid bulk carriers, on the other hand, usually have built-in tanks or deposits to store the liquid being transported. It can be anything from vegetable oil for cooking to petroleum for power plants.

Oil Tankers

il tankers can fall under the category of liquid bulk carriers, though some oil tankers carry oils per barrel. These tankers are designed to carry raw oil. Raw oil is used in major industries all over the world, making oil tankers one of the most used ships for global trade. 

This type of ship must be frequently inspected to test for structural resistance and leak-proof features. The worst thing that can happen while at sea is an oil spill that can affect global trade and the vast ocean life. Most oil tankers can hold an estimated two million oil barrels. 

Maintaining these massive vessels also requires regular cleaning of their cargo areas to prevent contamination and build-up. Crew members must wash the internal storage areas thoroughly before loading different types of oil or fuel. Many operators use specialized equipment like Victor Marine tank washing machines to make this process safer and more efficient. These systems help remove heavy residues from the inner walls without requiring manual labor in hazardous spaces. Proper cleaning is a key part of keeping the ship ready for its next voyage.

Gas Carrier Vessels

Gas carrier vessels are similar to oil tankers but are not quite the same. Gas carriers are made with more advanced technology to be able to transport liquid gas. Some more advanced vessels can carry natural gas, while others carry petroleum gas.

Container Ships

Container ships are arguably the most popular type of ships that most people are familiar with. These ships usually carry all sorts of dry goods including shoes, clothing, electronic goods, documents, and others.

Ro-Ro Vessels

Ro-Ro vessels stand for “Roll on, Roll off.” These ships are designed to transport automobiles and various vehicles with wheels. Ro-Ro vessels are also used to transport passengers across several islands, especially in archipelagic locations or island countries.

Livestock Ships

Transporting livestock presents a different kind of challenge as these ships must be well-suited to make sure that the live animals will survive the long journey. Livestock vessels usually include animal feeding areas, compartments for each animal, and several open decks for natural light and fresh air. 

Vessels that transport live animals must also have a functional heating and cooling system to regulate temperatures. The crew must also be well-trained to ensure that the animals are well-fed and their compartments are cleaned throughout the journey.

Reefer Ships

Reefer ships are designed to transport perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and fresh and frozen foods. Most reefer ships have several thermal containers or refrigerators to store the perishable goods at optimal temperatures for the duration of the trip.

Final Word

Shipping routes have a massive contribution to global trade. Previously inaccessible areas are now deemed reachable with the different shipping routes used today. The shipping industry is now working on a sustainability strategy to reduce carbon emissions in the years to come. As shipping is heavily relied on for global trade, the key to its future is to apply innovation and sustainability for it to continue to progress.