Main Maritime Shipping Routes

There is potentially an infinite number of maritime shipping routes but the configuration of the global system is relatively simple. The main axis is a circum-equatorial corridor linking North America, Europe and Pacific Asia through the Suez Canal, the Strait of Malacca and the Panama Canal.

Maritime routes are a function of obligatory points of passage, which are strategic places, of physical constraints (coasts, winds, marine currents, depth, reefs, ice) and of political borders. As a result, maritime routes draw arcs on the earth water surface as intercontinental maritime transportation tries to follow the great circle distance. The above map provides a simple taxonomy of the main strategic passages.

Primary passages. The most important passages since without them there would be limited cost effective maritime shipping alternatives which would seriously impair global trade.
Secondary passages. Passages that have alternatives, but would still involve a notable detour.