Hi Readers! Today I want to share some amazing facts about the shipping industry that you may not know. Shipping is one of the world’s oldest and most essential industries. It has a fascinating history and a significant impact on our lives. Here are some of the shipping facts opened up while researching this topic.
Shipping is the Greenest Mass Transport
According to The Atlantic, shipping is more environmentally friendly than any other form of commercial transportation, such as air, rail or road. This is because ships can carry large cargo with relatively low fuel consumption and emissions per ton-mile. Of course, shipping still has room for improvement, and there are many initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using cleaner fuels, improving energy efficiency and adopting new technologies.
Ships are Huge: Shipping Facts
You may have seen some impressive pictures of giant container ships, but did you know that some can carry more than 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo? That’s enough to fill a train that is 75 kilometres long! The largest container ship in the world as of 2021 is the HMM Algeciras, which has a capacity of 23,964 TEUs and a length of 399.9 meters. That’s longer than four football fields!
Ships Cover the Oceans
According to Statista, about 53,000 merchant ships were operating in international trade in 2020, transporting more than 10 billion tons of cargo globally. These ships travel on various routes, depending on the type and origin of the cargo, the demand and supply of the markets, and geopolitical and economic factors. The busiest trade routes are between Asia and Europe, Asia and North America, and within Asia.
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Shipping is a Huge Source of Revenue
The shipping industry contributes significantly to the global economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue for various stakeholders, such as shipowners, operators, brokers, agents, insurers, bankers, lawyers and regulators. Statista said the global seaborne container trade was valued at about 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2019. The world’s largest container ports are among the most prosperous cities in their regions, such as Shanghai, Singapore and Rotterdam.
Pirates are Dangerous and Prevalent
Despite the efforts of international organizations and naval forces to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea, these crimes still seriously threaten the safety and security of seafarers and ships. According to ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), 195 piracy and armed robbery incidents were reported worldwide in 2020, involving 135 vessels boarded, 22 attempted attacks, 20 fired upon, and three hijacked ships. The Gulf of Guinea, Southeast Asia and South America were the most affected regions.
Shipping is Incredibly Cheap
You may not realize it, but shipping is one of the most cost-effective ways to transport goods over long distances. According to The Atlantic, it costs about $0.08 per mile to move a ton of goods by ship from China to Europe or North America. That means you can ship a pair of sneakers from Shanghai to Los Angeles for about $0.40! Compare that to air freight, which costs about $1.50 per mile for the same distance.
Inspection of Containers is Rare
You may think that every container that arrives at a port is checked by customs or security officials for illegal or dangerous goods, but that’s not the case. According to The Atlantic, only about 2 per cent of containers are inspected worldwide due to the sheer volume of trade and the need for more resources and technology. This means there is a risk of smuggling drugs, weapons or even people through containers.
The Oceans are Vast
You may have heard that we know more about outer space than we do about our oceans, and that’s true. According to National Geographic, more than 80% of our ocean is unmapped, unobserved and unexplored. This means that many mysteries and wonders are still waiting to be discovered in the deep sea, such as new species of marine life, ancient shipwrecks or valuable resources.
Final Note
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I enjoyed writing it. Shipping is a fantastic industry that connects us all and improves our lives. If you want to learn more about shipping facts or anything related to this topic, please comment below or contact me through my website. Thank you for your time and attention!
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