Advantages of Maritime Transport in Coastal Areas

Advantages of Maritime Transport in Coastal Areas

For large precision machinery such as circular knitting machines, maritime transport is the most commonly used method for exporting abroad.

Maritime transport requires first transporting goods by land to a designated port, where they are then consolidated and loaded onto ships. Since ships travel much slower than airplanes, the shipping duration is relatively long—approximately 20-30 days from China to major European and American ports. The exact time depends on factors such as departure port, destination port, route, and weather conditions. Although air freight is significantly faster, it is also much more expensive. If the customer does not have strict delivery requirements or if the goods are intended for long-term stock, maritime transport is the most cost-effective option.

Of course, maritime transport is not the only choice; land transport and rail transport can also be considered. These methods typically offer speeds between those of air and sea transport, being faster than maritime but slower than air freight. Their costs fall between those of maritime and air transport.

Ships travel on the water; although they are slow, they experience less friction, consume less energy, and can carry large volumes in a single loading.

Taking container ships as an example: the scaling up of container ships can reduce transportation costs per container. For instance, an 18,000 TEU vessel maybe has a yearly slot cost that is 26% lower than a 8,000 TEU vessel, while energy consumption and pollution emissions are also reduced. Large vessels represent one model of environmentally friendly operations; under economies of scale, fuel consumption per standard container inevitably decreases. Future applications of new materials will not only enhance ship hull strength but also fundamentally improve fire resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and may even consider unmanned navigation and stealthy underwater transport to protect against storms and piracy. Future transportation trends will focus on higher speed, larger capacity, and enhanced safety.

The southern coastal regions have significant advantages in trade and transportation due to their geographic location and well-developed transportation networks. Especially in coastal areas, these regions have vibrant economies with strong market demand, providing continuous impetus for trade and transportation. Additionally, the developed manufacturing and service industries in these areas create substantial logistics needs, promoting innovation and development in transportation services.

Southern coastal regions like Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, adjacent to the South China Sea and East China Sea, possess multiple commercial ports such as Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Ningbo. During the early stages of reform and opening-up, these regions quickly integrated into the global industrial chain through policies such as "Special Economic Zones" and "Coastal Open Cities." Inland waterway shipping also contributes economically: rivers like the Yangtze and Pearl River have abundant water volumes and strong navigational capabilities, forming an inland port cluster centered around Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chongqing, which reduces logistics costs and promotes the agglomeration of manufacturing and trade industries along these routes.

Moreover, the warm and humid climate in the south is suitable for growing economic crops and modern agriculture, making it attractive for settlement and providing labor support for labor-intensive industries.

Quanzhou, as an ancient city with advantageous geographic conditions and a developed economy, has historically been an important hub for overseas trade.

Hengye Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., located in the picturesque city of Quanzhou in the southern coastal province of Fujian, benefits from its rich cultural atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Continuously contributing to China's economic development and keeping pace with the times, the company embodies a spirit of hard work and dedication, enhancing connections worldwide and promoting regional trade and logistics development.