(a) Write explanatory notes on the following: three characteristics of ocean transportation; (b) three advantages of water transportation; (c) four ways in ...

(a) Three characteristics of ocean transportation

• Uses natural waterways: Ocean transport moves along the seas and oceans, which are free natural highways requiring no construction of the route itself, only ports and harbours.
• Handles bulky and heavy goods cheaply: Large ocean-going vessels (tankers, bulk carriers, container ships) can carry enormous volumes of low-value, bulky cargo such as crude oil, grain and ores over long distances at very low cost per tonne.
• Slow but long-distance and international in scope: It is the slowest major mode, yet it links continents and is the dominant means of international trade; it also depends on the weather and can be interrupted by storms and rough seas.

(b) Three advantages of water transportation

• Cheapness: The route is provided free by nature, so it is the cheapest means of moving bulky goods over long distances.
• Large carrying capacity: A single ship or barge can carry a very large load, far more than a lorry or aircraft, making it economical for bulk commodities.
• Low energy and maintenance cost: Because there is no road or rail track to build and maintain, and vessels use fuel efficiently for the load carried, running costs are low; it also causes little land pollution.

(c) Four ways poor transportation network hinders economic development

• Restricts movement of goods to market: Farmers and producers cannot move their produce to markets or ports easily, so goods perish, prices fall and production is discouraged.
• Raises the cost of goods and production: Poor roads increase transport charges, vehicle repairs and delays, which raise the prices of raw materials and finished goods and reduce profits and investment.
• Discourages industrial location and investment: Industries avoid areas that are hard to reach, so mineral and agricultural resources remain unexploited and jobs are not created.
• Isolates regions and slows the spread of services: Remote areas remain cut off from schools, hospitals, banks and government services, widening regional inequality and slowing national integration and development.