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:

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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:

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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.