Which method of transportation makes up over 70% of freight shipped world wide?

Maritime transport is the primary method of transportation for global trade, accounting for over 70% of freight shipped worldwide. Its dominance is attributed to its cost-effectiveness and capacity to handle large volumes of goods.

Freight shipping is an essential component of the global economy, with maritime transport being the linchpin that holds the system together. The ability of sea freight to move massive quantities of goods across oceans efficiently and economically makes it the preferred choice for international trade, underscoring its critical role in the movement of the world's commerce.

Global Freight Transportation: An Overview

By facilitating global trade, goods transportation is vital to the global economy. This concept includes air, sea, road, and rail freight, each with its characteristics and uses. Businesses choose goods transportation based on goods type, distance, cost, and delivery speed to move raw materials, commodities, and finished goods.

Complex and interdependent, the global goods transportation system requires efficient planning, coordination, and implementation. The participants include natural resource providers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. This system relies on effective logistics management to deliver the correct goods at the right time, place, and condition, optimizing goods flow and improving business performance and customer satisfaction.

The Key Player in Global Freight Shipment: A Closer Look

Maritime transport holds the dominant position in global freight shipment. With over 80% of the world’s merchandise trade by volume and 70% by value transported by sea, it's no surprise that shipping plays a crucial role in connecting suppliers and consumers across different continents. The cost-effectiveness and large-scale carrying capacity of cargo ships give them an edge over other modes of freight transport, like air freight or rail cargo.

Ship owners, operators, and managers form the backbone of this industry, overseeing every detail from the design and construction of ships to cargo handling, navigation, and maintenance. Multinational corporations and SMEs depend on them for reliable, safe, and timely transportation of goods. Despite its complexity, the maritime shipping industry has demonstrated exceptional resilience, adaptability, and commitment to sustaining global commerce.

Reasons behind the Dominance of This Transport Method

Freight shipping has asserted its dominance in the global transportation sector due to several reasons that cut across many strategic aspects. Primarily, the cost-effectiveness of this method has become an irresistible hook for businesses worldwide. Even considering the initial expense of logistics setup, freight shipping is a more economically viable option in long-term business operations. In addition, freight transportation often offers opportunities for bulk shipping, further driving down costs by leveraging economies of scale.

Another critical factor that makes freight transportation a preferred choice is its unmatched capacity to accommodate heavy and oversized shipments. Whether transporting automotive parts across the ocean or moving construction materials across the country, freight shipping lends itself to tasks of considerable size and weight. Additionally, freight shipment also enables businesses to reach global markets with ease, providing unparalleled access and connectivity that other modes of transport can often struggle to match. This ability to facilitate international trade and commerce has made freight shipping an indispensable tool for global business operations.