In today’s interconnected world, the transportation system is essential in supporting trade activities between countries. Among the various modes of transportation available, ocean-freight is the mainstay of global logistics for the distribution of goods on a global scale. Ocean freight transports goods across sea routes using cargo ships.
This means of transportation is one of the main modes of transportation in international trade because it can transport goods in large quantities. Another advantage is that it requires relatively lower costs compared to other modes of transportation.
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Transportation System in Global Trade
Ocean Freight is a method of transporting goods by sea using cargo ships. This method has long been used in international trade because it can transport large volumes of goods at relatively low costs. Based on data from the International Chamber of Shipping, more than eighty percent of world trade volume is via sea routes.
This shows that ocean-freight is not just an ordinary mode of transportation, but a vital component in the global supply chain. In addition, sea routes allow for cross-continental shipping and are the leading solution for exports and imports between countries separated by oceans. This mode of transportation provides benefits in terms of sustainability because ships have lower carbon emissions per ton-kilometer compared to planes or trucks.
Ocean Transportation as the Backbone of World Logistics
Sea transportation is the backbone of world logistics, which has various advantages in global logistics. The first advantage is cheaper operating costs. Shipping costs by sea are much more economical, especially for large goods. Ocean-Freight is the primary choice for manufacturing companies, raw material traders, and heavy industries.
Large cargo capacity is the next advantage. Ships are capable of transporting thousands of tons of goods in one trip. This is very efficient for industrial players who need large-scale transportation, such as steel, coal, oil, or agricultural products. Sea routes support cross-continental trade. They provide a key solution for export and import between countries separated by oceans.
Ocean-freight has flexibility in various types of cargo. With multiple types of ships, the sea transportation system can handle various shapes and sizes of goods, from standard containers and bulk cargo to vehicles and liquid materials. Sea shipping can handle multiple types of goods in terms of size, shape, weight, and special characteristics. Sea lanes are flexible because cargo ships can be designed or customized for various cargo needs.
This form of flexibility supports the delivery of general goods, such as clothing, electronics, and packaged foods. In addition, it can also be used to send bulk goods such as wheat, sand, cement, and coal. Liquid bulk can also be distributed through crude oil, chemicals, and liquefied gas. This mode of transportation can reach almost all countries with seaports, making it one of the most widely reached modes.
Types of Ocean Transportation
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- Container Ships
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- Bulk Carrier
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- Tanker
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- Ro-Ro (Roll on-Roll Off)
One of the main advantages of Ocean-Freight is the diversity of types of ships used, allowing the efficient transportation of various types of cargo. Some types of sea transportation commonly used are container ships, which are most often used in the modern sea transportation system.
The cargo is packed in standard 20-foot or 40-foot containers that facilitate the loading and unloading process at the port. There are various types of ocean transportation, which will be described in the next section.
Container Ships
Container ships can transport various goods, from electronics and clothing to packaged food. Its standardized handling system also speeds up the logistics process and minimizes damage to goods.
The container ship lifting system involves a series of equipment and procedures that allow containers to be loaded or unloaded onto and from ships safely and efficiently, especially at ports.
A trailer or straddle carrier arranges the container lifting process on the dock. Next, the Ship-to-Shore Crane (STS crane) will move closer to the container, and the Spreader will be lowered and locked to the container.
The crane lifts the container vertically, then moves it onto the ship. Next, the crane operator drops the container into a slot on the ship’s deck or in the hull (hold). The presence of Operators and computer systems helps place containers according to the load plan.
Bulk Carriers
Bulk carriers are designed to transport large quantities of goods, such as iron ore, coal, wheat, fertilizer, or other raw materials, without packaging. The bulk goods are divided into several types, namely Dry Bulk Carrier in the form of coal, iron ore, and wheat.
The next type is the liquid bulk carrier (tanker), which carries crude oil, liquefied gas, or chemicals. This ship has an ample cargo space divided into several cargo holds. The advantages of bulk carriers lie in the efficiency of large loads and low shipping costs per ton. Usually used in the raw materials and energy industry sectors.
Tankers
Tankers are used to transport large quantities of liquid goods such as crude oil, fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), chemicals, or vegetable oils. These ships have special tanks to maintain the safety and stability of the liquid during transportation. Tankers play a vital role in world energy trade, often the mainstay of oil and gas producing countries in meeting export needs.
Tankers have several features; the first is a compartmented cargo tank that allows the transportation of more than one type of cargo. The next feature is a coating to prevent corrosion and contamination. There is also a heating system for asphalt or heavy oil to keep it liquid and an inert gas system to avoid explosions in the tank (especially on crude oil tankers). The last feature is a ventilation system, which is highly secure from chemicals and gases.
Ro-Ro (Roll on-Roll Off)
Ro-Ro is a ship designed to transport vehicles such as cars, trucks, or heavy equipment that can enter and exit the vessel by being driven by themselves (drive on/drive off). This ship is widely used in the automotive industry and for shipping heavy equipment to the destination country. With a special ramp system and multi-level deck, the Ro-Ro loading process is speedy and efficient without needing a crane or other heavy equipment.
The Ro-Ro ship’s characteristics include a ramp (entry-exit) located at the stern or side of the vessel as a bridge for vehicles to enter or exit. The internal deck is multi-level to provide parking space for vehicles. Next is the wheel security system (lashings), so vehicles do not move during the voyage. The last part is active ventilation to maintain air circulation inside the vehicle deck.
The advantages of the Ro-Ro type of ship are that it can operate quickly and efficiently when loading and unloading (no crane needed). Suitable for inter-island and medium-distance logistics. In addition, it allows direct transportation from the factory to the ship without unloading. However, Ro-Ro also has disadvantages, namely a higher fire risk due to vehicle fuel. Not all ports support Ro-Ro docks and ramps. Deck space is limited for certain types of cargo.
Conclusion
Ocean Freight has many advantages, but it also has several challenges. The first challenge is the dependence on weather and sea conditions that need to be watched out for. Additional logistics costs at the port, such as import duties, handling, and demurrage, must be prepared in advance. In addition, the issue of cybersecurity and piracy needs to be watched out for even more.