The Merits And Demerits Of Boat Transport

By Thomas White


Transportation of commodities has been there since the beginning of domestic and global trade. Businesses have utilized various channels of transporting items. Boat transport is the most widespread mean of shipping items that has been used since ancient times. Transportation has facilitated trade in cities around water bodies. Transportation through boats has remained common despite the growth in air and ground shipping. It has made a lot of contributions to local and global trades. This article has discussed its merits and demerits.

Boat transportation is an efficient method compared to road and air methods. This is because unlike the ground transportation that can only support specific items, this method offers a wide variety of options. The vessels are made in different forms to accommodate all types or sizes of things. Carrying of trucks, industrial and agricultural machines or vehicles have been made possible by the use of boats.

Shipping by boats is more economical than other modes of transportation. Boats need less maintenance and operation costs depending on the origin and destination of the goods. There are also abundant ship ports established over time, making this an efficient mean of transporting items. The total cost estimated in carrying items by sea is lower than that of items delivered by ground or air.

Boat transportation has minimal damage to the environment. This is because boats burn less fuel when shipping, unlike the ground or air transportation. From the less burning or fuel, it means that little or no greenhouse gases are being produced. This makes it the best when it comes to conserving the environment.

Rivers, seas, and lakes are natural gifts that do not require further modifications to facilitate ships. This means that there will be no additional costs for constructing waterways. However, this is a different case with ground transportation. Extra expenses are required to build roads or railways for the trains and trucks. Hence, boat transportation is efficient since no new infrastructure is necessary.

Sometimes departure or arrival of airplanes can be delayed due to harsh weather conditions. This means that items take longer before arriving at the airport. However, with ships, delays are minimal. This is because these vessels are built with reliability and resistance such that they can survive any weather within the reasonable limit. Ships can sail through the complex and unsteady environment so that items do not delay in disembarking.

Then again, there are several difficulties involved in boat transportation. Sailing in water takes a considerably long time before the ship reaches the shore. Therefore, items take long before getting to the destination. As such, transporting items through water is unsuitable for consumable or fragile commodities that can spoil over time.

Still, ships experience logistical problems when they arrive in ports that do not facilitate cargo ships. A port must have particular structures depending on the type of items it receives or transports. Therefore, if the port does not have these structures, a ship must navigate to the nearest structured port. This will result in indirect transportation where items are unpacked and packed again to reach the destination.




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