International Trade Volumes by Channel

The vast majority of goods travel by sea through maritime shipping to lower cost, but some also travel overland or by air. Some estimates put maritime at up to 90% of overall global trade, in terms of volume; while air cargo constitutes the least at approximately 0.2%. However, in terms of value, air cargo comprises less than 18%. Rail ranks 2nd in terms of volume, handling 7% of freight and the remaining in land transportation.