Modes of transport: Sea

Sea Transport.

Advantages

• Is cheap.
• Suitable for:
• bulky cargo e.g. crude oil.
• Heavy goods e.g. mineral ores.
• Mixed cargo i.e. different goods.
• Different types and sizes of ships are available.
• Special vessels for special cargo ie. Refrigerated ships and tankers.
• They carry containers.
• Can be re-routed easily.
• There is no need to construct a route.

Disadvantages.

• Are a slow mode of transport.
• The use of cranes and fork-lifts results in:
• high cost of loading and unloading.
• Unemployment as less stevedores are engaged.
• There is need for special packaging as goods can deteriorate if exposed to the salty water of the sea.
• Harbours, docks, quays and ports are expensive to construct.
• Various levies are charged e.g. wharfage, dock,warehousing and harbour costs.

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