1. Ocean transportation

Ocean transportation is the most widely used way in international cargo transportation.

At present, the shipping volume accounts for more than 80% of the total international cargo transportation. The reason why marine transportation is so widely used is that it has the following obvious advantages compared with other international modes of cargo transportation:

(1) high throughput. Ocean transportation can make use of natural waterways extending in all directions. Unlike trains and cars, they are not restricted by tracks and roads, so they have great passing capacity.

(2) The traffic volume is large. The transport capacity of ocean carriers is much greater than that of railway transport vehicles. For example, the load capacity of a 10,000-ton ship is generally equivalent to the load capacity of 250 ~ 300 wagons.

(3) the freight is low. From the perspective of economies of scale, the freight rate is relatively low because of the large volume and long voyage, and the transportation cost allocated to each freight ton is less.

Although shipping has the above advantages, it also has disadvantages. For example, maritime transportation is greatly influenced by climate and natural conditions, and the sailing schedule is not easy to be accurate and risky. In addition, the speed of ocean transportation is relatively low.

2. Railway transportation

In international cargo transportation, railway transportation is the main mode of transportation after ocean transportation, and the import and export goods of ocean transportation are mostly concentrated and dispersed by railway transportation.

Railway transportation has many advantages, generally unaffected by climatic conditions, and can ensure normal transportation throughout the year. Moreover, it has the advantages of large volume, high speed, high continuity and low risk in the operation process. Handling railway freight transportation procedures is simpler than ocean transportation, and the shipper and consignee can handle the consignment and delivery procedures at the nearest departure station (loading station) and destination station.

3. Air transport

Air transportation is a modern mode of transportation. Compared with ocean transportation and railway transportation, it has the advantages of fast transportation speed, high freight quality and no limitation of ground conditions. Therefore, it is most suitable for transporting urgently needed materials, fresh goods, precision instruments and valuables.

4. Road transport

Road transportation is a modern mode of transportation, which can not only directly import and export foreign trade goods, but also be an important means for stations, ports and airports to collect and distribute imported and exported goods.