Let's Get Knowledge About the International Shipping Routes

Concept and classification of shipping routes  

1. Classified by vessel operation mode  

A. Scheduled routes refer to those that operate with fixed ships sailing on fixed dates and ports and at relatively fixed freight rates, mainly carrying miscellaneous goods;  

B. Non-scheduled routes are selected temporarily according to the needs of freight transport.  Ships, shipping schedule, port of call are not fixed, mainly carrying the bulk, low-cost cargo transport business.  

2. Classified by distance of voyage  

A. Ocean-going shipping line refers to the SHIPPING lines that cover a long distance and sail across the ocean, such as those from the Far East to Europe and America.

B. Near-sea shipping line refers to the maritime transport lines between ports in one country and ports of its neighboring countries.  

C. Coastal shipping line refers to the sea transportation lines along the coast in one country, such as Shanghai/Guangzhou, Qingdao/Dalian, etc.  

3. Classified by the scope of navigation

A. Pacific route

B. Atlantic Route

C. Indian Ocean Route

D. Round-the-world routes

A. Pacific Route

(1) Far East - West Coast Route of North America

The route includes trade routes from Far East ports like China, Korea, Japan and Soviet to Canada, the United States, Mexico and other west Coast ports of North America. From the coastal ports of our country, the south line of this route is through the Ohsumi Strait and then out of the East China Sea; the north line is through the Tsushima Strait to the Sea of Japan, or through the Chongjin Strait to the Pacific, or through the Soya Strait and the Sea of Okhotsk to the North Pacific.  

(2) Far East - Caribbean, East Coast Routes of North America  

The route often goes through the north and south of the Hawaiian Islands to the Panama Canal.  Most ships departing from coastal ports in the north of China are through the Ohsumi Strait or through Anmi Island of Ryukyu to leave the East Sea

(3) Far East - West Coast Route of South America

Ships from coastal ports in the north of China mostly pass Ryukyu Anmei Island to cross the equator into the South Pacific and then to the ports on the west coast of South America.

(4) Far East - Southeast Asia Route  

This route is the main route for Chinese, Korean and Japanese cargo ships to ports in Southeast Asia, as well as to ports along the Indian Ocean and Atlantic ocean via the Malacca Strait.  The East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Bashi Channel and South China Sea are the necessary routes for ships of this line.

(5) Far East - Australia, New Zealand Route

There are two routes from the Far East to the southeast coast of Australia. Ships from China's northern coastal ports to the east coast of Australia and New Zealand port ships are required to cross the Ryukyu Kume Island, the Caroline Islands of Yap Island into the Solomon Sea and the Coral Lake;  Container ships between China and Australia need to be loaded or transshipped in Hong Kong before passing through the South China Sea, Sulawesi Sea, Banda Sea, Arafura Sea, and then through the Torres Strait into the Coral Sea. The route from China and Japan to the west coast of Australia will be through the Strait of Dulo in Philippines, Makassar and Lombok and then into the Indian Ocean.  

(6) Australia, New Zealand-- East and West Coast of North America Route

From Australia and New Zealand to the Coast of North America, this route will go through Suva, Honolulu and other important terminals in the Pacific Ocean. From Australia and New Zealand to the east coast of North America, the route will be through Papeete in the Society Islands via the Panama Canal.  

B. Atlantic Route

(1) Northwest Europe - East coast route of North America  

This route is a transport line for the exchange of raw fuel and products between Western Europe and North America, two of the world's most industrially developed regions. The two sides are home to the important ports around  In winter, there are heavy storms and fog, and icebergs in this area, which threaten the safety of navigation.  

(2) Northwest Europe, East Coast of North America -- Caribbean Route  

Most of ships along the Northwest Europe-Caribbean route will cross the English Channel to the North Atlantic. Together with ships departing from ports on the east coast of North America, the ships along this route generally enters the Caribbean sea through the Mona Windward Channel.  In addition to the Caribbean coast ports, it will go through the Panama Canal to the Pacific coast of America ports.  

(3) Northwest Europe, East Coast of North America -- Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal -- Asia-Pacific Route  

The East-Mediterranean - Suez route is one of the busiest in the world, providing a shortcut for trade between North America, northwest Europe and the Asia-pacific gulf region. The route normally passes through the Azores, a terminal in Madeira.  

(4) Northwest Europe, Mediterranean Sea -- East Coast of South America  

The route usually passes through the Atlantic islands of West Africa, the Canary Islands, a terminal in the Cape Verde Islands.  

(5) Northwest Europe, East China Sea - Cape of Good Hope, Far East route  

The route is usually used by giant tankers. The Cape Verde Islands, the Canary Islands are the main stops for passing ships.  

(6) East Sea of South America - Cape of Good Hope - Far East route  

This is an oil, ore - based transport line. The course is in the west drift area, with the heavy waves. Generally, the west is northbound, and the East is southbound.  

3. Indian Ocean Route  

Indian Ocean route is given priority to the oil transportation. In addition, there are many transit transport of bulk goods.  

(1) Persian Gulf - good hope - Western Europe, North America Route  

The route, operated mainly by supertankers, is the world's main oil shipping route.  

(2) Persian Gulf - Southeast Asia - Japan route  

The route goes through the Strait of Malacca (available for ships under 200,000 DWT), and the Strait of Makassar (available for supertankers over 200,000 DWT) to Japan.  

(3) Persian Gulf - Suez Canal - Mediterranean - Western Europe, North America transport lines  

The route can currently handle supertankers of up to 300, 000 tons.