Ocean transportation remains the most effective and oldest technique for shipping products. Countless numbers of items stored in dry van rentals make their way from one destination to the next daily. There are a variety of little-known and interesting facts pertaining to the industry.
1) Historic Ocean Transportation
Using ocean-going vessels dates back thousands of years. A disc discovered in Kuwait dated more than six thousand years ago featured a painting of a sailing ship. Although vessels have vastly improved, ocean shipping miraculously remains vital today.
2) Massive Vessels
The Ever Ace is considered to be the largest shipping vessel in the world and capably transports up to 23,999 containers. The HMM Algeciras is the next largest ship and handles up to 23,964 containers. Massive ships require extreme power. The largest ship engine ever manufactured stands a staggering 56 feet in height.
3) Cost-effective
The transportation method remains so inexpensive that Scotland ships fish to China to be processed and returned for less money than performing the act in the country.
4) Eco-friendly
Shipping by ocean emits less carbon compared to planes or trucks. A truck traveling from Texas to Oklahoma emits more pollution than a cargo vessel. It is estimated that approximately 20 million dry van rentals make an ocean-going journey at any given time.
5) Busy Shipping Routes
Approximately 90% of world trade uses cargo ships. Estimates reveal that more than 50,000 commercial cargo ships sail on the water at any given time. The largest fleets belong to Germany, Greece, and Japan.
6) Port Statistics
In the United States, Houston and Louisiana have the largest ports. But, New York and New Jersey have the busiest ports.
7) North American Shipments
Vehicles and automotive parts are the majority of products shipped between Canada and the United States. The majority of the freight travels to Michigan.
8) Shipping Containers Float
If a loaded shipping container falls off of a ship, it does not immediately sink. Regardless of whether the container is waterproof, the air within the unit enables it to be buoyant. How long the container floats depends on the type and weight of the cargo it carries.
9) Prioritize Safety Standards
A United Nations agency based in London became the first entity to create safety standards for the shipping industry. The International Maritime Organization assumes responsibility for establishing and enforcing the safety standards necessary to protect vessels, crews, and marine environments.
10) Crew Members
The number of crew members on a cargo ship depends on the size of the ship. Large vessels may have up to 30 members. Approximately 97 to 98% of crews members are male. Life is not easy. Ships may spend two weeks or more than two months traveling from one port to the next. Port time extends from a few hours to a couple of days. Depending on the ship’s company, a vessel typically has satellite radio communications but may or may not have internet.
The experts at Hale Trailer have dry van rentals to accommodate any type of shipping needs. All of the containers are manufactured in the United States. According to them, “Dry vans are designed to keep anything shipped in their cavity completely clean and dry.”