The Global Shipping Industry
The global shipping industry plays a pivotal role in transporting goods efficiently, safely and cost-effectively through national and international waters. Each day, cargo ships, tankers, and other vessels deliver a variety of items, such as vegetables, fuel, machinery, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and even consumer electronics, to distant locations around the world. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 90% of international trade, in terms of volume, is moved by sea transportation.
Global shipping is a complicated, but quite vital, industry which can often be hard to conceptualize. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide that provides a comprehensive overview of global shipping and its importance to our economy. This guide will explain how global shipping works, discuss the different types of vessels used, explore cargo storage and movement, and break down some of the unique technologies and services available to the global shipping industry.
Types of Vessels Used in the Global Shipping Industry
The global shipping industry uses several different types of vessels to transport goods from one location to another. The most common types include:
• Container Ships: Container ships are box-shaped vessels used for transporting cargo that has been loaded into large, standardized steel containers. Each container can hold up to 30 tons of cargo, allowing for the efficient transportation and storage of goods.
• Bulk Carriers: Bulk carriers are long, flat vessels used to transport large quantities of loose materials, such as grains, minerals and other commodities. Most bulk carriers are designed to carry up to 300,000 tons of cargo in one trip.
• Oil Tankers: Oil tankers are specially designed vessels that transport large volumes of oil and other petroleum products over long distances. Oil tankers generally range in size from 50,000 to 500,000 deadweight tons.
• Cargo Ships: Cargo ships are basically general-purpose vessels used to transport a variety of items using a variety of methods. The type of cargo ship used depends on the type of goods the ship is carrying, so cargo ships vary in size, shape, and capacity.
• Specialty Vessels: Specialty vessels are much smaller vessels used for a variety of different purposes. These vessels can be used for fishing, transportation of hazardous materials, and for transferring goods from one ship to another (known as “lightering”).
Cargo Storage and Movement
Once goods have been loaded onto a vessel, it’s time to begin movement and storage. The global shipping industry employs a variety of techniques to keep goods safe and secure during transit. One of the most common is stowage, which is the process of strategically packing cargo on board a ship to ensure safe and efficient transport.
When it comes to cargo movement, there are a few main concepts to be aware of:
• Tracking: Shipments are often required to be tracked for security and regulatory reasons. Tracking technology is often used to monitor a shipment’s location, arrival time, and other pertinent information.
• Handling: Cargo handling is critical for ensuring goods arrive in the same condition they left. It’s important to consider potential factors such as temperature, moisture and other environmental factors that may affect shipments during transport.
• Documentation: All shippers must fill out a variety of paperwork and documents associated with their cargo shipments. This may include bills of lading, shipping manifests and cargo tags.
Unique Technologies and Services Offered by the Global Shipping Industry
The global shipping industry is constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety and security while transporting goods. To do so, they leverage an array of technologies and services that help make the global shipping process easier, cheaper and more reliable.
• Automation: Automation is being utilized more and more in the shipping industry to make processes faster, more efficient and reliable. Automated systems can be used to streamline operations, increase loading/unloading speeds, reduce paperwork and documentation, and prioritize cargo movement.
• Vessel Monitoring Systems: Vessel monitoring systems are tracking devices that record a ship’s position and movements over time. This data is then shared with authorities, ports and other relevant parties to ensure safe and efficient sailing.
• Cold Chain Solutions: The cold chain is an end-to-end process for transporting temperature-sensitive goods. To maintain the quality of goods during transport, shipping companies often use cold chain solutions such as temperature-controlled containers, GPS tracking and real-time temperature monitoring.
• Freight Forwarding: Freight forwarding is a service offered by logistics companies and shipping carriers that facilitates the movement of goods between locations. A freight forwarding firm acts as an intermediary between the shipper and the end receiver, ensuring goods are collected and shipped, and that any paperwork and documentation is completed accurately and on time.
The global shipping industry plays a critical role in keeping our economy running. Each day, cargo ships and other vessels transport a variety of goods, both small and large, to every corner of the world. By leveraging technologies such as vessel monitoring systems, cold chain solutions, and freight forwarding, the global shipping industry is able to transport goods efficiently, safely and cost-effectively. Without the global shipping industry, international trade simply wouldn’t be the same.
