Ships transport
Ships are essential for transporting goods and people across the world's oceans, seas, and waterways. Here are the main types of ships used for transportation:
### **1. Cargo Ships (Merchant Ships)**
- **Container Ships**: Carry standardized shipping containers (TEUs or FEUs), transporting everything from electronics to clothing.
- **Bulk Carriers**: Transport loose cargo like grains, coal, ore, and cement in large holds.
- **Tankers**: Move liquids such as crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
- **Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Ships**: Designed for vehicles (cars, trucks, trailers) that drive on and off.
- **General Cargo Ships**: Carry packaged goods like machinery, timber, or bags of products.
### **2. Passenger Ships**
- **Cruise Ships**: Luxury vessels for vacation travel with entertainment and amenities.
- **Ferries**: Short-distance transport for passengers and vehicles (e.g., between islands or across rivers).
- **Ocean Liners**: Historically used for long-distance passenger travel (now mostly replaced by air travel).
### **3. Specialized Ships**
- **Livestock Carriers**: Transport animals like cattle, sheep, and horses.
- **Heavy-Lift Ships**: Carry oversized cargo like machinery, wind turbines, or yachts.
- **Reefer Ships**: Refrigerated vessels for perishable goods (fruits, meat, fish).
- **Barge Carriers (LASH Ships)**: Transport barges loaded with cargo.
### **4. Support & Service Vessels**
- **Tugboats**: Assist large ships in docking and maneuvering.
- **Supply Ships**: Support offshore oil rigs and platforms.
- **Icebreakers**: Clear paths for other ships in frozen waters.
### **Key Shipping Routes & Facts**
- **Major Trade Routes**: Suez Canal, Panama Canal, Strait of Malacca.
- **Global Trade Volume**: Over **80% of world trade** (by volume) is transported by ships.
- **Environmental Impact**: Shipping contributes to emissions, leading to a push for cleaner fuels (LNG, hydrogen, ammonia) and slow steaming.
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