INTRODUCTION
Transportation refers to the movement of goods and people from one place to another. In the United States, ships were one of the earliest forms of transportation that had a significant effect on trading. As the country became more industrialized however, fewer products were carried on ships because other modes of transportation grew in popularity. Today, most commercial goods are carried throughout the United States in freight trains, semi-trucks, and cargo planes. Despite recent favor directed towards other methods of transport, there could be a resurgence in popularity of shipping products by sea in the future.
A ship can be designed to transport many types of commodities that are currently distributed using other means. Short sea shipping refers to the transportation of large quantities of goods by sea. In short sea shipping, large vessels carry cargoes including metals, stone, coal, oil products, containers, grain, and people to ports along coastal waterways (See Figure 1). The cargo ships travel on short routes, quickly carrying goods between one nation’s ports and the ports of adjacent countries. If short sea shipping is employed to its full capacity in the United States, there are many potential benefits for the economy, the environment, and for society as a whole.
Figure 1. Osprey …show more content…
Boats and ferries are a form of public transportation like buses and trains. The United States currently has “over 200” ferry operators that provide safe, reliable transportation for passengers and their vehicles (Chambers, Liu). The ferries run on fixed schedules, traveling down short routes to major, coastal cities. This additional transportation method benefits the public because it provides an alternative route for travel. It is a convenient and inexpensive choice to travel on ferries, and people are happier when they can avoid overly congested
Transportation refers to the movement of goods and people from one place to another. In the United States, ships were one of the earliest forms of transportation that had a significant effect on trading. As the country became more industrialized however, fewer products were carried on ships because other modes of transportation grew in popularity. Today, most commercial goods are carried throughout the United States in freight trains, semi-trucks, and cargo planes. Despite recent favor directed towards other methods of transport, there could be a resurgence in popularity of shipping products by sea in the future.
A ship can be designed to transport many types of commodities that are currently distributed using other means. Short sea shipping refers to the transportation of large quantities of goods by sea. In short sea shipping, large vessels carry cargoes including metals, stone, coal, oil products, containers, grain, and people to ports along coastal waterways (See Figure 1). The cargo ships travel on short routes, quickly carrying goods between one nation’s ports and the ports of adjacent countries. If short sea shipping is employed to its full capacity in the United States, there are many potential benefits for the economy, the environment, and for society as a whole.
Figure 1. Osprey …show more content…
Boats and ferries are a form of public transportation like buses and trains. The United States currently has “over 200” ferry operators that provide safe, reliable transportation for passengers and their vehicles (Chambers, Liu). The ferries run on fixed schedules, traveling down short routes to major, coastal cities. This additional transportation method benefits the public because it provides an alternative route for travel. It is a convenient and inexpensive choice to travel on ferries, and people are happier when they can avoid overly congested