What is Domestic Sea Transport? Overview and Notes

1. What is domestic sea transport?

Domestic sea transport is the process of transferring goods and people by sea within a country. The vehicle system includes ships, boats, ferries, and barges, combined with maritime infrastructure such as seaports and transshipment ports for frieght in logistics.

This method of transportation saves time and costs compared to transportation by road or rail. Especially when our country has a well-developed domestic sea transportation network. In addition, domestic sea transport plays an important role in the country's traffic and transportation system, especially in moving goods and people across domestic areas.

2. Some advantages and disadvantages of transporting goods by domestic sea

What are the advantages and disadvantages of transporting goods by domestic sea? Let's find out the information below with Dolphin Sea Air:

2.1 Advantages of inland sea transport

The advantages of domestic sea transport are as follows: 

• Cost savings: Domestic sea shipping services have low costs and do not incur other surcharges. This helps businesses save on transportation costs, especially when transporting goods across large inland water passages.
• Ability to transport large volumes of goods: Ships and boats have the ability to transport goods of large volume and size, including heavy and bulky goods. This reduces the number of transport trips required and optimizes transport efficiency.
• Ensuring cargo safety: natural and spacious sea traffic routes. Therefore, inland sea transportation helps reduce the rate of accidents due to collisions compared to road transportation. This helps reduce risks and ensure the safety of goods during transportation.
• Reducing road traffic load: Inland shipping services help reduce pressure on the road traffic system. Especially in areas with high traffic density. This can help reduce traffic congestion and travel time.
• Access to hard-to-reach areas: Inland shipping services open up opportunities to reach remote or difficult-to-reach areas by land. From there, create a strong network of connections between regions and contribute to economic development.
• Save energy and reduce environmental pollution: Compared to road and rail transport, inland shipping often consumes less fuel and causes fewer emissions that pollute the environment. This not only helps reduce negative impacts on the environment but also contributes to protecting natural resources.

2.2 Disadvantages of inland shipping by sea

The disadvantages of inland shipping by sea are as follows:

• Geographical restrictions: Inland shipping restricts movement within areas with rivers, canals, and coastal areas. Therefore, in more remote areas, inland shipping will need to be combined with other means to transport goods to warehouse locations.
• Depends on weather conditions at sea: Inland sea transport is easily affected by weather conditions, especially during stormy seasons with big waves and ice. This may increase shipping time compared to what was expected.
• Long shipping time: Due to the influence of weather and geographical conditions, domestic shipping by sea may take longer than expected. Especially when there are many obstacles on the inland waterway. Therefore, in cases where goods are urgently needed, businesses need to consider more appropriate transportation options.

3. Characteristics of domestic sea transport

Dolphin Sea Air has provided you with information about the pros and cons of domestic sea transport. Next, we will share the characteristics of this transportation method below:

3.1 Domestic sea freight time

Domestic sea transport time is often slower than road and rail and can last from 1 to 2 days. In particular, when the weather conditions at sea are not favorable, it is very likely that the shipping time will be extended up to 1 month.

3.2 Domestic sea freight costs

Domestic sea transport is a natural infrastructure that does not require upgrading or repair costs. Therefore, this method often has lower costs than other popular means of transportation.

>>>> READ NOW: Price list of sea transport latest updated by day

3.3 Capacity to freight goods by sea

Domestic sea transport is capable of transporting large amounts of goods without restrictions on size, quantity, or volume. Therefore, this method is a suitable choice for transporting a variety of goods.

4. Goods transported by domestic sea

Domestic sea transport goods are very diverse, including many different commodity groups and packaging forms. This helps meet diverse needs for domestic transportation and the circulation of goods. Here are some popular types of products:

• Consumer goods and necessities: include food products, human food, and livestock.
• Agricultural raw materials and fertilizers.
• Large-sized and containerized goods include decorative furniture, tables and chairs, beds, cabinets, fabric fibers, mouse mattresses, rubber, and other products.
• Goods with a large weight include equipment, production machinery, and machine tools.
• Detailed products and construction materials: including construction materials, event goods, and other detailed products.
• Raw materials, scrap, iron and steel, purlins, prefabricated steel buildings, chemicals, machinery, factory equipment, and many other goods are allowed by law to be transported and circulated domestically.
• Goods that are easily affected by the environment, such as tea, cigarettes, and spices,.
• The goods are not affected by other goods, such as industrial materials and construction materials.

In addition, depending on the type of goods, there are suitable means of transporting goods by domestic sea, specifically:

• Transported by container: mainly daily necessities and garments.
• Cryogenic transportation: for items that need to be maintained at frozen temperatures during transportation.
• Transport by barge: minerals such as coal, rock, sand, and rock; liquid goods (oil, wine, and beer).

5. Factors affecting sea freight rates

What factors affect sea freight rates? Dolphin Sea Air will share specifically with you below:

5.1 Gasoline costs

Fluctuations in gasoline costs have a significant impact on domestic sea freight rates. Specifically, when gasoline prices fluctuate, transportation costs may increase or decrease accordingly.

5.2 Scarcity of empty containers

There is a shortage of empty containers, also known as container shells, which has caused fluctuations in container rental prices. Currently, having fewer empty containers leads to increased container rental prices. This situation is significantly affecting the price of transporting domestic goods by sea.

>>>> SEE MORE: The modern types of sea containers that are most popular

5.3 Goods have specific properties

Goods with specific properties, such as high-value goods, fragile goods, chemical goods, and goods requiring special storage or transportation conditions, These items often face higher ocean freight rates than conventional goods.

5.4 Weather and climate conditions

In areas with harsh climatic conditions, inland ocean freight rates tend to increase. This reduces the need to transport goods to that area.

6. Domestic sea shipping time

Domestic shipping time depends on many important factors:

• Natural conditions: Natural conditions play an important role and have a great influence on transportation time. If the weather is good, the goods delivery process will go smoothly according to schedule. On the contrary, bad weather such as rain, wind, tsunamis, and thunderstorms can force the shipping unit to postpone the schedule to ensure the safety of people and goods. This delays delivery time compared to expected.
• Geographic distance between the two areas: Freight forwarding by sea rarely encounters obstacles and collisions. However, sea routes are often difficult to navigate and are affected by more factors than roads, railways, or aviation. If the distance is not too far, shipping goods by sea can become a cost- and time-effective option. However, if the distance is large and there are many complicating factors, transit time may increase due to geographical restrictions.

7. New inland sea routes are being exploited

Currently, the government is investing heavily in developing domestic sea transport to meet the needs of domestic freight forwarding. Domestic sea transport routes that are being strongly exploited include:

• Inland freight route by sea from North to South: This is the largest inland shipping route in the country. This route stretches from north to south and passes through large and small seaports in the country.
• North-Central and South-Central inland sea transport: These are two short sea transport routes, exploiting ports located in the respective areas.

These routes are playing an important role in connecting different regions and providing flexible options for domestic freight forwarding.

>>>> CLICK FOR MORE INFO: Overview of our country marine traffic

8. Reputable and quality domestic sea transport unit - Dolphin Sea Air

Dolphin Sea Air is a reputable and quality domestic sea transport company. The unit specializes in providing freight transportation services with high standards. This helps ensure safety and efficiency during the delivery process. In addition, the unit also pays special attention to facing the challenges of natural conditions and geographical distance. Since then, Dolphin Sea Air has provided high-quality and reliable service to customers.

Benefits that Dolphin Sea Air customers can experience include:

• Competitive prices: The unit is committed to providing competitive prices in the shipping market.
• Diverse logistics services: Dolphin Sea Air is a flexible partner, providing the best customer support through diverse logistics services.
• Professional staff: With a team of highly skilled and professional staff, the unit is committed to working productively, enthusiastically, and thoughtfully.
• Free consultation: Customers receive free consultation support on optimal transportation solutions for individuals and businesses.
• Continuous updates and support: Dolphin Sea Air is committed to providing continuous support, information updates, and customer support throughout the cooperation process.
• Clear regulations in the contract: The terms and regulations in the contract are clearly set out, ensuring the obligations and responsibilities of both parties.
• 24/7 support service: The unit provides 24/7 customer support service, ensuring flexibility and convenience for customers.

Come to Dolphin Sea Air to experience great services and dedicated care from a team of professional staff.

Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation

• Số hotline: 1900986813
• Email: info@dolphinseaair.com
• Office contact: 
  • Ha Noi: 18th Floor, Epic Tower, 19 Duy Tan Street, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District
  • Hai Phong: 3rd Floor, No. 274 Danang Street, Van My Ward, Ngo Quyen District, Haiphong City;
  • Da Nang: 6th Floor, Truc Thang Mien Trung Building, Nguyen Van Linh Road, Thac Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, Danang City
  • Ho Chi Minh City: 6th Floor, Hai Au Building, 39B Truong Son Street, Ward 4, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

This article has brought you information about domestic sea transport. Hope you will trust and choose Dolphin Sea Air's service. Wish your business transports goods smoothly!

>>>> CONTINUE:

• The ocean shipping process from A to Z
• Important types of sea transport documents to know