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The shipping or maritime industry is one of the cost-effective and convenient ways for international shipping of large-volume cargo. Being hailed as one of the largest importers and exporters of goods across the globe, the importance of the shipping industry in the USA is quite significant among other nations. The U.S. is a supplier of energy resources worldwide, and it is challenging to do so using any different modes of transport except for shipping. Since the USA has a well-developed shipping industry, it becomes feasible for shippers to trade and run their national economy. Let us learn more about the importance of the shipping industry in the USA.
What is the role of the shipping industry in the supply chain?
The shipping industry is an integral forerunner of the global supply chain and branches out to inculcate transportation and logistics. Shipping refers to the supply chain sector that involves transporting goods and commodities by sea using large ships. It plays a crucial role in building international trade relations by allowing seamless movement of goods around the world. The shipping industry is the backbone of global trade, as sea routes transport significant goods exported or imported internationally. Shipping is a cost-effective and efficient means of moving substantial goods across long distances. The shipping industry plays an essential role in environmental and safety standards due to the inherent risks associated with maritime transport. As a result, the International Maritime Organisation has drafted regulations and conventions aimed at ensuring the safety of ships, protecting the marine environment, and safeguarding the lives of seafarers. SOLAS convention is one such regulatory standard.
What is the importance of the shipping industry in the USA?
The USA is the second largest exporter and the first largest importer of goods globally. The U.S. has a vast road and rail network and a robust shipping line for this.
- Approximately 40% of the U.S. import-export trade is entirely by the maritime industry, making shipping vital to the U.S. economy.
- The USA shipping industry enables access to international markets, resources, and opportunities by connecting the nation to the rest of the world.
- The USA is a global trade partner with various countries and, therefore, needs to ship goods across long distances, which is facilitated by the shipping industry.
- Being one of the largest importers and exporters, the U.S. shipping industry is a means of livelihood for many job opportunities.
- The USA is a hub for energy resources, and its shipping industry plays a pivotal role in transporting energy sources, including crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum products, across borders to boost the U.S. economy.
How does the shipping industry in the USA work?
The shipping industry in the United States operates within a well-defined framework, as it is responsible for maintaining the influx of transportation demands to keep the supply chain running. Different shipping parties, such as exporters, importers, shipping companies, 4PL service providers, and container manufacturers, collaborate to streamline the supply chain operations. These activities are related to logistics. A series of processes involved in the shipping industry are-
- Manufacturers or shippers contact shipping companies to ship their cargo internationally across borders.
- Shippers book a place on the vessel by themselves or some 3PL or 4PL service provider.
- Documents such as bills of lading are prepared by submitting details on the destination port, consignee, cargo specification, and other declarations.
- The cargo is packed into ISO-standard containers for efficient port handling and transportation. Many shipping companies sell and lease used shipping containers in the USA.
- Logistics companies or logistics service providers help coordinate shipments in cases of intermodal transportation.
- Shipping containers are moved to the container yard at the port to be loaded onto vessels using various vehicles, such as cranes and forklifts.
- The vessels follow a stowage plan for vessel loading, and the shipping routes are optimised based on sea traffic and weather conditions.
- Containers are lashed onto ships to ensure stability through turbulent waters during the voyage.
- Upon arriving at ports, the containers are unloaded and inspected for any signs of cargo damage.
- The importer must file a bill of entry before the arrival of the shipment to procure the containers.
The importance of the shipping industry in the USA is that it takes the commercial and economic load of importers all across the globe.
LOTUS Containers is a worldwide marketer of shipping container services and has partnered with more than 300+ container depots to extend container services globally, including the USA. We sell and lease all shipping containers to suit the client’s needs.
