Meretransporti

Meretransporti, in Finnish usage often translated as maritime transport, refers to the movement of goods and people by sea as part of national and international transport systems. It covers ships, ports, and the logistics that connect sea routes with other modes of transportation in multimodal supply chains. Vessel types include container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, roll-on/roll-off vessels, and passenger ferries, which operate on regional and intercontinental routes. Port operations, cargo handling, bunkering, ship repairs, and related services are integral parts of the sector.

Economically, meretransporti underpins much of global trade by enabling large volumes to be moved across long distances with relatively low energy use per ton-mile compared with land transport. The sector is highly globalized and dominated by shipping lines organized into alliances. Operations are governed by international rules and conventions coordinated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including SOLAS and MARPOL, as well as standards from flag states, classification societies, and port authorities.

Environmental and regulatory developments influence meretransporti through emission controls, safety, and efficiency standards. Decarbonization efforts focus on fuel switching to cleaner options such as LNG and future zero-emission fuels, energy efficiency measures, and technology like slow steaming and wind-assisted propulsion. Digitalization enhances voyage planning, real-time tracking, and port-community integration. Major trade routes include Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, and transatlantic corridors, with chokepoints like the Suez and Panama Canals shaping capacity and logistics planning.