The 3 Shipping Segments: Distinct Differences in Vessel Size, Routes, and Sustainability Prospects
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Inland, short sea, and deep water are three major shipping segments with distinct characteristics like ship size and route duration.
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Inland shipping is biggest in China due to its large navigable rivers, while North America and Europe also have major inland routes.
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Short sea shipping connects coastal areas worldwide, with ships a quarter the size of ocean carriers.
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Deep water ships are the largest, taking over a month for transoceanic voyages consuming massive amounts of fuel.
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Solutions exist like phasing out giant crude carriers, efficiency gains, and surprisingly feasible electrification.