Advantages and Disadvantages of Water Transport are as follows:
Advantages:
1. Less Maintenance Cost:
Maintenance cost in rail and road transport is quite high but maintenance cost of water transport is quite less.
2. Cheap:
The transport channel is quite cheap as compared rail and road Transport.
3. Useful for Bulky Goods:
Heavy and bulky goods can be transported easily at little cost through water transport.
4. Useful During Natural Calamities:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
During natural calamities like flood and rains, when rail and road transport is disrupted, relief operations can be operated through water transport.
5. Helpful in Defence:
Development of shipping is essential for the defence of the country also. It is also called second line of defence.
6. Important for Foreign Trade:
Water transport plays important role in foreign trade. India’s foreign trade is mainly dependent on water transport.
Disadvantages of Water Transport:
The following are the disadvantages of water transport:
1. Slow Speed:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
It is a slow means of transport. Failure of monsoon results into fall in the water level of rivers making navigation difficult.
2. More Risky:
Water transport is more risky as compared to other means because there is always danger of sinking ships or boats.