In a world as globalized as we live in, it would be impossible to think of running out of some kind of products. Sea routes keep commerce around the world moving. It is estimated that 80% of the products that are marketed globally come from transports through the sea.
All this trade is possible thanks to the advanced maritime transport that exists in the world that connects East and West, Europe, Asia and America, mainly. It is incredible that hundreds of thousands of products move through the seas and oceans every day, serving to supply millions of people anywhere in the world.
The most used maritime routes
The sea is divided into many parts, but if what we want is to find a fast and efficient transport that connects the main ports and countries, we must look at four fundamental axes that connect the world through the sea.
Suez Canal
It occupies 15% of the total trade where it is estimated that more than 20,000 ships pass through per year. This passage located between the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Suez, is the entrance to the Indian Ocean from the Red Sea . Passing through this maritime route we connect Europe with Asia without having to travel all of Africa.
For many it is one of the most relevant modern engineering works in the world.
Panama Canal
It is about the union via sea of the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. It can have about 13,000 freighters a year, although its limitation by space, only collects a total of 5% of maritime trade. Still, it is one of the main maritime routes that link Europe with America and Asia.
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca connects the most important markets in Asia. On the one hand, it connects China with Korea and Japan, and on the other, it connects these countries with large emerging markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and India.
It is located between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean and about 50,000 ships pass through it a year, representing 30% of the world’s maritime trade.
Strait of Hormuz
It connects the most powerful Arab economies. It is located between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, and its importance lies in the fact that it is located in an area of important strategic value due to the amount of oil it contains.
It is estimated that almost 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
