Maritime shipping is an international logistics is the main mode of transport, it refers to the use of ships at sea through the channel in different countries and regions of the transportation of goods between the port mode. At present, the total international trade volume of 2 / 3 above, China's import and export freight volume of about 90% is the use of maritime transport.

    Compared with other international cargo transport, marine transport mainly have the following characteristics:

    ( 1) through capacity. Marine transport can use lead in all directions the natural channel, it does not train, automobile track and road limited.

    ( 2) large volume. Marine transport ship carrying capacity, far greater than the railway transport vehicle and highway transport vehicle. If a 10000-ton ship loading weight, generally equal to 250 ~ 300 wagon loads.

    ( 3) low freight rates. Shipping volume big, range far, assessed at each freight tons transportation costs less.

    But there are also shortcomings of marine transportation. Such as vulnerable to climate and natural conditions, high risk, relatively slow speed of transportation. Therefore, for should not be subjected to long-term transport of goods as well as the urgent need and weather conditions affect the goods, generally unsuitable marine transportation.