GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Maritime transport
A fully laden container vessel leaving port for a distant continent is maritime transport in its most familiar form: the movement of goods by ship across oceans and international waterways.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_transport
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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
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Definition & Explanation
A fully laden container vessel leaving port for a distant continent is maritime transport in its most familiar form: the movement of goods by ship across oceans and international waterways. By volume, roughly 80 to 90 percent of global merchandise trade travels by sea, making it the dominant mode of freight carriage in international commerce. Shippers favour ocean freight for its low unit costs on bulk, containerised, and heavy-lift cargo, accepting longer transit times than air or road alternatives. The standard container – measured in TEU or FEU – is the primary cargo unit; key documents include the bill of lading, sea waybill, and customs declaration. Deep-sea liner services differ from inland waterway transport, which operates on rivers and canals within continental networks.
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⚡ Current 2026
Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
Passar replaces E-dec and NCTS. Passar 1.0 (export) is live, Passar 2.0 (import) starts from Q2 2026. Roadmap, ePortal registration, deadlines and FAQ — all on one page.
Passar 1.0Passar 2.0 → Q2 2026Passar 3.0 → Q2 2027
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Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
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