Shipping Industry Facts
90% of the world’s goods are transported by the international shipping industry.
Body content: While the exact figures are a little hard to come by, we can safely say that 90% of the world’s goods are shipped internationally. That means that every time you take a flight or drive somewhere, or purchase an item online, you’re supporting that global economy.
So it’s no wonder that so many businesses are looking to global markets as a new frontier for growth. After all, as economies become increasingly integrated, there is a greater need to establish connections between them. And the global shipping industry provides a cost-effective way to facilitate those connections.
But that doesn’t mean there are only benefits. It’s true that the industry is huge, but it’s also competitive. There are plenty of companies competing for the same contracts and business, which means it’s important to establish yourself as a viable option and partner.
One way to do that is by understanding your industry, understanding your customers, and working to build trust.
At any given point of time there are over 20 million containers in transit.
Body content: The shipping industry has changed significantly since the beginning of the 21st century. From advances in technology to changes in regulations, shipping has been adapting to meet new challenges. It is estimated that at any given time, there are over 20 million containers in transit.
There are many reasons for this increase in container traffic:
Increased trade and the associated rise of consumerism.
Changes in the economic system resulting in more cargo being shipped.
Changes in the global economy which have led to an increase in the number of businesses and an increase in the demand for freight transportation.
As the number of ships and trucks in the industry has increased, so has the number of ports and airports, along with the complexity of the industry.
The need for greater efficiency has meant that shippers are looking for new solutions, whether it be in the design of vessels or in the management of port infrastructure.
Over 97% of the ocean containers are manufactured in China.
Body content: According to a study by the International Chamber of Commerce, 99% of all containers were manufactured in China. China has been manufacturing container ships for over 60 years and is the world’s largest manufacturer.
Body content: If you don’t live in China or ship from China, this fact might not mean much to you. However, if you work in a shipping industry, this statistic can make you rethink your business decisions.
The majority of the world’s containers are now being built in China. The reason for this is simple: Chinese manufacturing is cheaper than its competitors.
However, there are a number of other factors that have led to the rise of China as a shipping hub.
The largest ship can store up to 18,000 containers. That means it can carry more than 745 million bananas.
Body content: When it comes to ships, size really does matter. According to the World Shipping Council, the largest ship on the market today is the world’s biggest container vessel—the Maersk Triple E-Class, which holds more than 18,000 TEUs.
A TEU, or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, is a standard unit of measurement for shipping containers. A single TEU can hold between 20 and 40 containers and is typically used to measure cargo volume.
Containers have been around since the 1920s and have come a long way since then. Today, containers are still a crucial part of the global shipping industry.
Today, the world’s largest container ship is the Maersk Triple E-Class, which holds more than 18,000 TEUs.
A container ship can travel a great deal. In fact, one ship can cover 75% of a trip to the moon and back in one year.
Body content: The shipping industry is huge. In fact, it’s so big that a single container ship can cover 75% of a trip to the moon and back in one year.
And there are millions of ships traveling around the globe on a daily basis. So, what’s the best way to get your goods to your customers? How about a boat? Well, it turns out, container ships are pretty good at carrying cargo. Container ships are big enough to carry multiple containers and, more importantly, they are stable. If a ship is going to take a trip to the moon, you want it to be as stable as possible.
Only 5 percent of the containers shipped to U.S. ports are physically inspected, and that number is even lower in Europe.
Body content: According to a recent study conducted by the National Association of Port Authorities, only five percent of containers shipped to U.S. ports are physically inspected. That number is even lower in Europe. In the U.S., it’s about 2.4 percent, and in Europe it’s just.6 percent.
The study also showed that nearly 50 percent of the containers inspected are “shipped via non-segregated trucks.” This means that the cargo is mixed with other shipments, and it’s not possible for Customs and Border Patrol to physically inspect the contents of the containers.
Average life of a 20ft container is 20 years. For a 40ft container the average life is even more.
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There are different types of shipping containers but the most common ones are 20 foot containers (20FT) and 40 foot containers (40FT).
20FT containers are mainly used for transporting goods within the same country. 40FT containers are mostly used to transport goods internationally.
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While on the sea, 2/3 of ships have no means of communication and less than 10% have internet.
Shipping is an essential part of modern commerce and its importance cannot be overstated. However, shipping has always been a challenging and dangerous activity, and even more so today. Ships operate in a highly regulated industry with strict safety standards.
To ensure the safety of the crew and the goods, a ship must be built with the ability to withstand damage and remain afloat.
This requires a lot of steel and other materials. Unfortunately, most of those materials are heavy and thus the ship becomes very top-heavy. This means the ship can roll and capsize if the weight of the cargo is not evenly distributed.
The ships also need to be able to sail long distances with a large number of people and goods. Thus, they need to be wide and stable. However, they also need to be able to travel at a high speed.
As a result, the ships are very tall, which increases their top-heaviness even further. These ships are then even more likely to capsize when they are carrying cargo or when they are in rough seas.
While on the sea, 2/3 of ships have no means of communication and less than 10% have internet.
Body content: The shipping industry is one of the oldest forms of transportation. The first recorded ship voyage was made by the Chinese around 5000 BC. Ship travel has been used as a form of trade and communication since ancient times.
It was not until the 19th century that steamships, propellers, and boilers began to make a major impact on shipping. Steamship technology made possible speedier and cheaper transportation of goods, which led to a boom in shipping.
While on the sea, 2/3 of ships have no means of communication and less than 10% have internet. This makes communication with other ships difficult, especially in case of an emergency.
As a result, many maritime regulations are strict. For example, ships are required to maintain a minimum distance of 5 nautical miles between vessels to ensure safety and protection for the crew.
Many ships have emergency beacons or radio transponders to alert other ships about emergencies and their position. However, the range of such beacons is limited, and the amount of radio interference on the ocean can cause issues.
The best method to contact another ship would be by use of satellite phones. However, these devices are expensive and require a signal to be sent to the satellite to connect. There is also a limited number of satellites available and they can easily be blocked by clouds and fog.
To overcome these limitations, ships rely on VHF radio. The VHF band is limited to the frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz, which is often referred to as the HF band.
There are two main types of VHF radios: fixed-mount and handheld. Fixed-mount radios are often mounted on the bridge or wheelhouse. Handheld units are typically used on deck.
In a year, a single large container ship can carry more than 200,000 container loads.
Body content: In a year, a single large container ship can carry more than 200,000 container loads.
If you’ve ever been to the Port of Seattle, you might have seen a large cargo ship unloading its contents onto a massive truck-like vehicle called a “stacker”. These vehicles are used to stack containers on top of each other until they reach the desired height, at which point the stacks are placed on a truck for transport.
You can see where this is going. When a container ship is unloaded, it is filled with thousands of individual boxes, each containing a different piece of equipment or goods. When the container ship returns to port, it will be stacked to the ceiling with these boxes, creating one massive shipping container. This is what makes a container ship so powerful – they can carry an entire city’s worth of goods, in one shipment.
A single large container ship can carry more than 200,000 container loads.
There are approximately 55,000 merchant ships sailing the seas.
Body content: When we think of shipping we think about containers, ships, and cargo. However, there are over 55,000 merchant vessels afloat at any given time. These include container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, car carriers, and specialized cargo ships.
Merchant ships are defined as ships that carry a cargo from one port to another. In the United States, most merchant ships are built in foreign shipyards. In 2011, the top 20 countries that built the most U.S. merchant ships were Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Taiwan, Spain, India, Turkey, France, Malaysia, Belgium, Panama, and the Netherlands.
Merchant ships are one of the most energy-intensive types of ships, and thus, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. They also emit particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, which can have serious health effects.
Approximately 1.5 million people employed in the maritime sector. Only 2% are women.
Body content: The shipping industry is a very male-dominated one. Just over 2% of the total workforce is made up of women, and that number drops to 0.9% when it comes to employment within the merchant marine. Even though women are underrepresented in shipping jobs, there is a lot of room for growth in the field.
With that being said, there are a few major hurdles that need to be overcome for more women to enter the industry.
A large cargo ship uses 150-250 tons of fuel per day
Body content: It takes a ton of fuel to move a ton of goods. And there are more than a few things that can go wrong along the way.
Shipping companies can be highly regulated. Cargo ships need to abide by certain laws and regulations. For example, ships must use approved routes and can only operate between specific ports. They also have to report to regulators, so they can be inspected and regulated.
These rules and regulations are put in place to ensure cargo vessels are safe, efficient, and operate within an environmental framework. Some are very strict, and even minor violations can lead to fines or even seizure of a vessel.
The shipping industry is also competitive, so it’s important to be aware of the cost of moving goods from point A to point B. Ships must pay for all costs associated with moving their cargo, including port fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and crew. The cost of shipping a ton of goods is a big deal. If you’re shipping goods, you want to know the total cost.
Body content: A large cargo ship uses 150-250 tons of fuel per day. That is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 3-6 US homes. On average, a large cargo ship uses 15% of the world’s total oil production. The industry is estimated to use around 4.8% of the world’s oil production, and 6.5% of its natural gas. This amounts to approximately 1,100 million barrels of oil a year, which is enough to meet the fuel needs of over 1.4 billion people for a year.
This industry is responsible for the movement of 20% of the world’s freight and containers. It also generates more than 4% of the global GDP.
large container ship engine weighing up to 2,300 tons has about 1,000 times more power than a family car.
Body content: Shipping Industry Facts
Largest Container Ship Engine weighs up to 2,300 tons
In a race to the bottom in terms of cost and efficiency, the shipping industry continues to embrace the use of large container ships to transport goods from one continent to another. A recent report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) found that the largest container ships operating today are over 300 meters long and can accommodate up to 30,000 20-foot containers. They are able to travel at speeds of up to 26 knots (over 43mph). They are also able to carry up to 2,300 tons of cargo. In comparison, a family car carries only 1,000kg.
This is good news for companies who are looking to cut costs and speed up delivery.