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Types and Features of Sea Transport: Complete Classification from Experts
In the modern world, sea transport remains a fundamental method of international cargo delivery. According to UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) 2024 data, sea transport accounts for about 90% of the physical volume of international trade and 70% of its value. As experts from WestComTrans, we offer you a detailed overview of the classification of types of sea transport, their features, and advantages, which will help you choose the optimal logistics solution for your business.
Sea Transport and Its Role in Global Logistics
Sea transport is the transportation of goods using various types of sea and ocean vessels. This type of transport, with a centuries-old history, continues to evolve and remains the foundation of global supply chains, connecting continents and countries.
At WestComTrans, we observe a steady increase in demand for sea logistics services, which is associated with the expansion of the geography of international trade and the increase in the volume of transported goods. A comprehensive understanding of the classification of sea transport allows us to offer clients optimal solutions for any logistics tasks.
Advantages and Limitations of Sea Freight Transport
Key Advantages:
- High Load Capacity: Modern container ships can transport up to 24,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) simultaneously.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Low transportation cost over long distances (5-6 times lower than air transport).
- Versatility: Ability to transport virtually any type of cargo, from containers to oversized equipment.
- Eco-Friendliness: Low carbon footprint per tonne-kilometer compared to air and road transport.
- Reliability: High level of safety and cargo security.
- Developed Infrastructure: Global network of ports and terminals.
Objective Limitations:
- Speed: Relatively long delivery times (from several days to several weeks).
- Dependence on External Factors: Influence of weather, climate, and seasonal conditions.
- Geographical Constraint: Need for access to port infrastructure.
- Multimodality: Requirement for additional transshipment for inland delivery.
- Complex Documentation: Need for specific documentation.
Classification of Sea Transport by Type of Communication
Coastal Shipping
Coastal shipping involves domestic sea transport between ports of the same country, which is divided into:
- Small Coastal Shipping: Transport between ports of the same sea basin (for example, between Novorossiysk and Sochi).
- Large Coastal Shipping: Transport between ports of different sea basins within the same country (for example, between Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok).
Coastal shipping is regulated by national legislation and often has special requirements for vessels and their crews (for example, in the USA, the Jones Act requires the use of American-built vessels with American crews).
International Sea Transport
International sea transport is carried out between ports of different states and forms the basis of global trade. It is regulated by a system of international conventions:
- Hague Rules (1924): Establish minimum standards of carrier liability.
- Hague-Visby Rules (1968): Updated version with expanded provisions.
- Hamburg Rules (1978): Increase carrier liability and the statute of limitations.
- Rotterdam Rules (2008): Regulate electronic documentation and multimodal transport.
WestComTrans provides full support for international sea transport, including the preparation of all necessary documentation and customs clearance in accordance with current international legislation.
River-Sea Mixed Transport
A special type of communication is transport using river-sea vessels that can navigate both inland waterways and sea routes. Such transport is particularly relevant for regions with a developed river network and a sea coast (for example, in Russia, China, European countries).
Types of Sea Transport by Organization of Vessel Movement
Liner Shipping
Liner shipping involves regular voyages on fixed routes according to a pre-established schedule. Their characteristics:
- Regularity: Clear departure schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.).
- Fixed Routes: Specific ports of call with stable rotation.
- Standardized Tariffs: Published freight rates with a system of surcharges.
- Equal Conditions: Acceptance of cargo from all shippers without discrimination.
- Standardization: Predominantly container shipping.
The largest liner operators (Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO) are united in alliances to optimize the use of the fleet and route network.
Tramp Shipping
Tramp shipping involves irregular voyages without a fixed route or schedule. Their features:
- Flexibility: The vessel goes where there is cargo and favorable conditions.
- Contractual Basis: Conditions are determined by the charter (freight contract).
- Individual Pricing: Rates are formed based on market conditions.
- Specialization: Predominantly for bulk, liquid, and project cargo.
- Full Load: Usually, the entire vessel or a significant part of it is chartered.
The tramp shipping market is characterized by high volatility, influenced by seasonal factors, geopolitical situation, and the state of the global economy.
Feeder Shipping
Feeder shipping is a system of cargo delivery between large hub ports and small regional ports. Their key characteristics:
- Integration: Connects main and regional routes.
- Optimization: Allows large vessels not to enter small ports.
- Frequency: Ensures regular connection with main lines.
- Flexibility: Quick adaptation to changes in main services.
- Economy: Cost optimization when servicing ports with low cargo turnover.
Feeder operators play a critical role in modern container logistics, ensuring the connectivity of the global transport system.
Classification of Sea Transport by Type of Cargo
Container Shipping
Container shipping is the most versatile and widespread type of sea transport. Advantages:
- Standardization: Unified container sizes (20′, 40′, 45′)
- Specialization: Various types of containers for different cargo:
- Standard dry (Dry Van)
- Reefer containers
- Open top containers
- Flat rack containers
- Tank containers
- Containers for dangerous goods
- Safety: High degree of cargo safety
- Intermodality: Convenience of transshipment to other types of transport
- Consolidation: Possibility of transporting consolidated cargo (LCL)
Modern trends include increasing the size of container ships (up to 24,000 TEU), developing digital tracking platforms, and introducing “smart” containers with sensors.
Bulk Liquid Cargo Transport
Bulk liquid cargo transport is carried out by specialized vessels – tankers. In professional terminology, they are known as “tanker shipping.” Their characteristics:
- Types of Cargo:
- Crude oil
- Oil products
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
- Chemical products
- Food liquids
- Specialized Fleet: Vessels with cargo tanks of various configurations
- High Safety Standards: Double hulls, inert gas systems
- Regulation: Strict international requirements (MARPOL, IGC Code)
- Economies of Scale: High efficiency with large volumes
The tanker shipping market is segmented by vessel sizes (from small product tankers to supertankers VLCC and ULCC).
Bulk Cargo Transport
Bulk cargo transport is carried out on specialized vessels – bulk carriers. Such cargoes include:
- Ore Cargoes: Iron ore, bauxite, copper concentrate
- Energy Raw Materials: Coal, coke
- Agricultural Products: Grain, soybeans, raw sugar
- Building Materials: Cement, gravel, sand
- Fertilizers: Phosphates, potash salts
Features of bulk carrier transport:
- Classification of Vessels: From Handysize (up to 35,000 DWT) to Capesize (over 100,000 DWT)
- Specialized Equipment: Grabs, conveyors, pneumatic transport
- Seasonality: Dependence on agricultural cycles and energy needs
- Market Volatility: High dependence on the BDI (Baltic Dry Index)
General Cargo Transport
General cargo transport includes the transportation of piece, packaged, and heterogeneous goods. Characteristics:
- Variety of Cargo: Equipment, machinery, metal products, timber
- Transportation Methods: In containers, on deck, in holds
- Project Cargo: Oversized and heavy equipment
- Specialized Vessels: Ro-ro (Roll-on/Roll-off), multipurpose vessels, heavy-lift ships
- Individual Approach: Development of securing and loading schemes
Forms of Organization of Sea Transport
Ship Chartering and Types of Charters
Chartering is the lease of a sea vessel for cargo transportation. Depending on the conditions, the following types of charters are distinguished:
- Voyage Charter (Voyage Charter):
- Chartering for a specific voyage
- The charterer pays for the cargo transportation
- The shipowner bears all operational expenses
- Standard proforma is used (GENCON, NORGRAIN)
- Time Charter (Time Charter):
- Lease of a vessel for a certain period of time
- The charterer pays rent at a daily rate
- The charterer bears fuel and port fee expenses
- The shipowner provides the crew and technical maintenance
- Bareboat Charter (Bareboat Charter):
- Lease of a vessel without a crew
- The charterer takes full management of the vessel
- The charterer bears all operational expenses
- Long-term nature (usually from 1 year)
- Demise Charter (Demise Charter):
- Lease of a vessel with partial crew complement
- Intermediate form between time charter and bareboat
- The charterer gets more control than with a time charter
At WestComTrans, we help clients choose the optimal type of chartering, considering the specifics of the cargo, route, and transportation budget.
Transport Documents in Sea Transport
Bill of Lading (Bill of Lading, B/L)
The Bill of Lading is the main document in sea transport, performing three key functions:
- Contractual Function: Confirmation of the terms of the sea transport contract
- Receipt: Evidence of the acceptance of cargo by the carrier
- Disposition Function: Right to receive the cargo
Types of Bills of Lading:
- By Method of Transferring Ownership:
- Straight B/L
- Order B/L
- Bearer B/L
- By Transport Route:
- Direct B/L
- Through B/L
- Multimodal B/L
- By Clauses:
- Clean B/L
- Claused/Dirty B/L
- By Form of Issue:
- Paper
- Electronic (e-B/L through systems Bolero, essDOCS, WAVE)
Other Transport Documents
- Sea Waybill: Non-negotiable document, not requiring presentation for cargo receipt
- Dock Receipt: Confirmation of cargo receipt at the port
- Mate’s Receipt: Preliminary document before issuing the bill of lading
- Shipping Order: Loading instruction for the terminal
- Cargo Manifest: List of all cargo on the vessel
Tariffs and Fees in Sea Transport
Tariff Structure
- Basic Freight Rate (Basic Ocean Freight): Main payment for transportation
- Surcharges:
- Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF)
- Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF)
- Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)
- Overweight Surcharge
- War Risk Surcharge
Port and Terminal Fees
- THC (Terminal Handling Charges): Costs for container handling in the terminal
- Storage/Demurrage Fees: Payment for cargo storage beyond the free period
- Detention Fee: Payment for container use outside the terminal
- Documentation Fees: Document processing, electronic data transfer
- Customs Fees: Payments related to customs clearance
Modern Trends in Sea Transport
The sea transport industry is dynamically developing under the influence of technological innovations and changes in the global economy:
Technological Innovations
- Increase in Ship Sizes: Modern container ships reach a capacity of 24,000 TEU
- Digitalization: Implementation of blockchain technologies, electronic document management, IoT
- Port Automation: Robotic terminals, autonomous vehicles
- Intelligent Systems: Route optimization, predictive maintenance
Environmental Initiatives
- Decarbonization: IMO strategy to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2050.
- Alternative Fuels: LNG, methanol, hydrogen, ammonia.
- IMO 2020: Limiting sulfur content in marine fuel to 0.5%.
- Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (scrubbers): Technologies to comply with environmental standards.
- Energy Efficiency: Hull optimization, heat recovery systems.
Structural Changes in the Market
- Consolidation: Mergers and acquisitions among shipping companies.
- Alliances: Strategic partnerships (2M, Ocean Alliance, THE Alliance).
- Vertical Integration: Expansion of services from port to port to comprehensive logistics solutions.
- Regional Diversification: Development of new trade routes (Arctic Route, New Silk Road).
Conclusion
Sea transport remains the foundation of international logistics, offering an optimal balance of cost and reliability for most types of cargo. Understanding the variety of sea transport types, their features, and applicability to specific logistics tasks allows for the construction of efficient supply chains.
At WestComTrans, we offer an individual approach to organizing sea transport, based on a deep analysis of the client’s needs, cargo specifics, and route features. Our specialists will help you choose the optimal solution, ensuring a balance between cost, speed, and delivery reliability.
Entrust the organization of sea freight transport to the professionals at WestComTrans, and we will ensure the effective integration of your business into global supply chains, taking into account modern trends and best practices in international logistics.
Article Author:
Alexander Morozov, Logistician at WestComTrans
Last Publication Date: 14.07.2025
If you have any questions about the process of organizing container cargo transportation or would like to receive a consultation, feel free to contact us. We are ready to assist you at every stage of your cargo delivery!
WestComTrans – International Logistics.
