The Growth of Global Trade and Its Impact on Sea Transport

Sea transportation plays an essential role in enabling the movement of goods across borders, supporting industries ranging from agriculture to electronics, fashion, and energy.

• Increase in Containerized Trade: The shift toward containerizationwhere goods are packed into large containers for easier handling and transporthas revolutionized global trade. It allows for faster, more efficient, and cost-effective transportation of goods. This is particularly important as e-commerce continues to grow, driving demand for faster delivery times and greater capacity.
• Bigger and More Efficient Vessels: To keep pace with growing demand, shipping companies are investing in larger and more efficient ships. Ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) can carry tens of thousands of containers, improving economies of scale and lowering per-unit transport costs. These mega-ships, such as those used by companies like Maersk, Evergreen, and COSCO, are dominating major trade routes.