# Waterborne freight

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Waterborne freight is the carriage of goods by vessel across oceans, rivers, canals, and lakes, using ocean-going ships, barges, and riverboats.

Waterborne freight is the carriage of goods by vessel across oceans, rivers, canals, and lakes, using ocean-going ships, barges, and riverboats. By volume, it is the dominant mode in international trade, handling containerised cargo, breakbulk, and bulk commodities such as coal, grain, and petroleum products. Shipping lines, inland carriers, and terminal operators each manage distinct segments of the logistics chain. The mode's principal advantage is its low cost per tonne-kilometre; the trade-off is longer transit times and the operational discipline of planning around fixed vessel schedules and port cut-off deadlines. Most supply chains combine waterborne freight with road or rail for first- and last-mile connectivity.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_transport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_transport)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Waterborne freight |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 105 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_transport |

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