Question
Evaluate the importance of maritime trade and the Maritime Transportation System to the world economies and compare the challenges associated with port security. As part of your discussion, highlight the impact of economic dependency on maritime transportation, and illustrate the importance of mega ports to international trade. For example, what percentage of goods and services are transported by maritime means. Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 550 words. Please respond to at least 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 250 words and include direct questions. |
Answer
Marine transportation is ranked as one of the most significant pillars of trade in the world. Maritime transport can be dated far back in the history of time. Over the years it has grown and expanded to become one of the most important and critical factors influencing the world’s economy. The paper discusses the importance of maritime transportation as well as other crucial factors associated with it.
Maritime transport provides employment opportunities to millions of people around the world. It has lifted many families from poverty and enhanced their economic ability to access basic needs. Apart from employment, maritime transport has improved access togoods and servicesin different countries around the world. The result is reduced poverty levels because people can now have the goods they need to make their lives more comfortable. Marine transport is a crucial factor that sustains the economic growth and prosperity among nations.
Ports globally are vulnerable to security threats. Over the years,there has been a series of horrific attacks as a result terrorism. Weak points within the industry have provided exposure to different terrorist groups. They may attack ports by use of rocket attacks or small boats approaching the harbor for suicide missions. Ports are also a significant target for pirate groups that steal cargo and ships from ports, thereby creating loss of cargo as well as government revenue (Ali et al., 2015). The challenges associated with port security may not always be attacks from militia groups and pirates, sometimes these terrorists may take control of a vessel within a port and use it to orchestrate other attacks for other areas. Then it becomes a big challenge eliminating them from the ports.
Maritime transportation is not only about transportation of cargo. Other industries like fishing, passenger transportation, tourism and offshore oil and natural gas are dependent on marine transport. Economic activities that take place within the ports have a considerable contribution towards the growth of the economy. In the USA, states adjacent to the sea or significant lakes contribute close to forty-five percent of the gross domestic product (Corbett & Winebrake, 2008). In a single year, maritimetransportation can handle over one trillion dollars’ worth of cargo from the seaports in the USA to other international trading partners (Corbett & Winebrake, 2008). Economic growth for many countries globally is very dependent the activities within the maritime transportation system.
Many countries have found the need to expand their ports to accommodate and handle more cargo. The pressure within the harbors has led to expansion and construction of mega ports. Having Mega ports in countries around the world is essential for smooth international trade activities. Mega ports have brought an improvement in handling of cargo efficiently. The shipment is inspected, and illegal goods are easily detected. Mega ports are essential to international trade because they can handle more goods comfortably. For example, in the year 2016, the maritime transportation system in the US was able to control over $1.5 trillion worth of cargo through the international trade lines and partnerships (Wyman 2017).
In conclusion, the maritime transportation system is a crucial pillar of economic development. It has expanded trade and simplified access to goods and products for international trading partners. Maritime transportation systems around the world support millions of families and offer a source of livelihood for them.
References
Ali, M., Khan, S. U., & Vasilakos, A. V. (2015). Security in cloud computing: Opportunities and challenges. Information Sciences, 305, 357-383.
Corbett, J. & Winebrake, J. (2008). The Impacts of Globalization on International Maritime Transport Activity: Past trends and future perspectives. Global Forum on Transport and Environment in a Globalizing World, 10-12 November 2008, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Wyman, J. B. (2017). Introduction to the 10th Marine Law Symposium. Roger Williams UL Rev., 22, 345-506.