View below shown world map to locate all the major sea routes, Sea routes are the pathways on oceans and seas used for international trade, connecting major ports across continents. Approximately 90% of global trade by volume is carried by sea, making these routes critical to the world economy. Key sea routes include the Panama Canal, which links the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and the Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, reducing shipping times significantly. The busiest sea route in the world is the Strait of Malacca, situated between Malaysia and Indonesia, handling around 25% of the world's traded goods. Other important routes include the North Atlantic Route and the Cape of Good Hope, offering alternative paths for global maritime trade.
Explore this world map to locate all major ports and shipping routes around the Globe.
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Sea Route
A sea lane, sea route, or shipping passage is a commonly used navigable route for facilitating the movement of large vessels on broad waterways like the ocean and large lakes. Usually, sea routes are economical, direct, and safe. During the age of sail, sea routes were not only calculated by the distribution of landmasses but also by the prevailing winds. The wind was crucial to the success of maritime voyages. Sea lanes are pretty vital for seaborne trade.
Trade Route
A trade route is defined by a logistical network. This logistical network comprises a series of stoppages and pathways used for the commercial transport of goods. The same term can also be utilized for executing trade over water bodies. A trade route is vital as it allows the goods to travel to distant markets. A single trade route also comprises long-distance arteries which may be connected to smaller networks of non-commercial and commercial transportation routes. One of the most popular trade routes is the Amber Road. It served as a reliable network to carry out long-distance trade. Along the Spice Route, maritime trade became popular during the Middle Ages. That was the time when many nations believed in military means to control this route. For instance, organizations like the Hanseatic League aimed to secure the interests of the traders. That’s why trade became increasingly popular.
In the modern age, commercial activity shifted from major trade routes of the Old World to the newer ways between newly formed states and nations. This activity was executed without the old-age protection of trade. Moreover, it was carried out under international free trade agreements, which permitted the commercial goods to cross borders with no strict restrictions. It is imperative to mention modern transportation modes too. For instance, pipeline transport is quite popular and cost-effective at the same time. Well-known trade routes involve rail routes, cargo airlines, and vehicles.
Maritime Transport
Maritime transport, also known as ocean transport, or usually waterborne transport, is the transport of people or cargo through waterways. Throughout history, cargo transport across the high seas has been quite common. However, with the emergence of aviation, there has been a reduction in the number of people preferring ships over airlines. But waterborne transport is still favored over short routes and pleasure cruises. Waterborne transport is affordable when compared to airborne transport despite the introduction of fluctuating exchange rates. Moreover, fees have been levied in addition to freight charges for the carrier companies. This is known as the currency adjustment factor as per the UNCTAD in 2020.
Maritime transport can be executed by any capable vessel over any distance and water bodies. Shipping is ideal for recreation, commerce, and for military purposes. No doubt, extensive inland shipping is on a steady decline nowadays. But the major waterways of the world, including a large number of canals, are still imperative and integral parts of the economies around the globe. To be precise, any material can be moved by water. However, waterborne cargo transportation loses importance when time is a critical factor. Still, transport via water is cost-effective with the easy availability of cargo ships. It is also famous for trans-oceanic ferrying of consumer goods like coke, coal, ores, or grains. Also, the industrial revolution took place at a time when waterborne transport supported the ferrying of bulk goods.
The evolution of containers revolutionized the maritime trade. It started in the 1970s with various types of goods packed in cases, boxes, barrels, and pallets. When the cargo is ferried in more than a singular mode, it is co-modal or intermodal.
Saint John (Woolastook) River, Northwest Passage, Saint Lawrence Seaway, Mackenzie River, St. Marys River and canal of Ontario, Detroit River, St. Clair River, Welland Canal, Lake St. Clair, Lake Superior, Saskatchewan River, Hudson Strait and Hudson Bay, Great Bear Lake, including Port Radium
Mississippi River System, Missouri River, Ohio River, St. Lawrence Seaway, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake Bay, Columbia River, Delaware River, Detroit River, Erie Canal, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Sacramento River, Savannah River, St. Clair River, St. Marys River and canal of Michigan, Tennessee River, Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
