Cargo Shipping: Surprising Facts and Figures

Jan 3, 2019International Logistics, Supply Chain Management

Not surprisingly, there are many factors that go into a successful shipment of cargo. There are many moving parts that keep shipments arriving on time to their destinations.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the complex cargo shipping process, here are a few insights and interesting statistics about our work:

1. Transportation Choices

When it comes to transporting cargo, there is no shortage of options. The ocean, air, railways, and highways all offer a means for transport.

Cargo ships transport products by way of the ocean on fixed schedules; according to the World Shipping Council there are 400 regularly scheduled services to all 7 continents.

And, rail freight is one of the most efficient ways to transport cargo from sea across a country. Containers are moved by crane from a ship to a railroad car.

2. Container Sizes

The standard container sizes are 20 foot, 40 foot, 45 foot, and 53 foot. Containers are built to international standards which makes them interchangeable between shipping companies.

There are also different types of containers to consider. Some include an open end, side or top, while others are refrigerated or have a liquid build.

3. Merchant Ships

If choosing to ship cargo by ocean, there are six merchant ship options to get your cargo from point a to point b. These options include tankers, passenger ships, container ships, fishing vessels, bulk carriers, and general cargo ships.

A container ship engine has about 1,000 times more power than an average car, but they only travel at about 26 miles per hour. The largest ship can store 18,000 containers, which means it could carry more than 745 million bananas.

4. The Crew

The crew is an important factor in the shipping process and are dedicated to ensuring your cargo is delivered safely. 33% of crews at sea have no access to communication and only 10% of crews at sea have internet access.

The industry is dominated by men, in fact only 2% of all crews are female. However, the shipping industry is a very large employer: around 1.5 million seafarers are employed by the global shipping industry.

5. Take a Cruise

Yes, some seafaring ships will let you on board as a passenger. If you are looking for a different kind of cruise, this may be the vacation for you. But, remember, you more than likely won’t have access to the internet or communication methods until after you’ve ported.

Interested in learning more about our cargo shipping logistics and how we deliver for our clients?

Give us a call, we would love to work with you.

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