(a)Importance of water transportation in international trade
(i) It covers long distances, thus linking all continents for trade purposes.
(ii) It is the cheapest means of transporting goods and services.
(iii) It carries bulky goods.
(iv) It has natural routes, so little or no cost on construction except on the harbor.
(v) The maintenance cost of the harbour is relatively low.
(vi) It is relatively safe and so highly used even for movement of passengers / labour.
(vii) Can move or transport wide variety of goods.
(viii) It is available for all nations to use.
(ix) It assists in exchange of ideas and innovations
(b) Limitations of water transportation
(1) It is slow for passenger and perishable goods.
(2) The seasonality of some rivers
(3) Only for countries with ports and coastline can use sea and ocean transport
(4) Not flexible, that is door-to-door service is not possible.
(5) High cost of acquiring ships
(6) Limited capital to construct and maintain sea ports.
(7) Problem of technical knowledge in ship maintenance
(8) Ports may be silted or even frozen.
(9) Highly affected negatively by climate, icebergs and storms on ocean.
(10) Presence of water weeds, cataracts, rapid waterfalls and tree stumps.
(11) High cost of dredging of ports.
(12) Sea sickness to passengers on board
(13) Presence of dangerous aquatic animals.
(c) Solution to limitations
(i) Construction of canals to reach landlocked countries.
(ii) Improved technology such as construction of refrigerated vessels / compartments for perishable goods.
(iii) Construction of dams and locks
(iv) Construction of fast moving ships.
(v) Uses of ice-breakers
(vi) Continuous clearing of weeds
(vii) Improved technology and installation of navigational aids.
(viii) Continuous dredging of ports and water-ways.
(ix) Granting of soft loans for construction and of maintenance of ports.
(x) Installation of protective devices against dangerous water animals.
(xi) Government and private sector partnership involvement in the development of water transportation.