Sea transportation

Modern transportation is one of the largest branches of the World economy. About 80% of all of the World's international trade is carried on the Oceans. The growth of industrial potential, reduction of an international division of labour, strengthening of economic ties between the countries on different continents, the increase of the volume of foreign trade, and the discovery of new marine mineral wealth deposits give rise to a steady increase in Ocean cargo transportation. The comparatively inexpensive, almost limitless characteristics of sea transport and the greater overall dimensions of transported freight, make it a truly global pathway.

 

 

Map of routes for transportation of crude oil, from the Man and the Ocean, a CD-ROM produced by the Russian Head Department of Navigation and Oceanography.