[paraclete]

if only container ships could go door to door

[jlisenbe]

If only fedex delivery trucks could go across oceans.

[paraclete]

If only fedex delivery trucks could go across oceans.

They have aircraft, they don't wait for slower transport

[tomder55]

If land transport is so expensive why are there fleets of huge trucks on the highways,

There are no canals between the goods and their final destination . Also passenger rail was always a fools dream . Freight by rail is under utilized . Still the only logical way to service a global market with goods is by sea. Over 70 % of the earth is covered by water .

[jlisenbe]

If land transport is so expensive why are there fleets of huge trucks on the highways,

Moving super large cargo loads by ship is the most economical means of shipping we have. The man who claimed to be a better economist than Trump should surely know that.

[paraclete]

Moving super large cargo loads by ship is the most economical means of shipping we have. The man who claimed to be a better economist than Trump should surely know that.

It only works when there are no delays or disasters

[jlisenbe]

It only works when there are no delays or disasters

Which, like I said earlier, occurs so infrequently that it's not worth considering. It is, by far, the least expensive means of shipping on the planet.

[paraclete]

You do know that all this shipping from place to place is a flawed idea. One day, because of AGW or maybe just common sense, local manufacture will be more attractive. the cheapest form of shipping is a minimalist approach or not necessary. Now I know that this casts down the idea of a profitable multinational run by slaggarts in New York or Palm Springs or Mar-de-largo but

[jlisenbe]

You do know that all this shipping from place to place is a flawed idea. One day, because of AGW or maybe just common sense, local manufacture will be more attractive. the cheapest form of shipping is a minimalist approach or not necessary.

That's quite an idea.

[paraclete]

Yes, just plain economic sense, and counter intuitive. Putting all your manufacturing in one place off shore is a recipe for disaster

[jlisenbe]

Putting all your manufacturing in one place off shore is a recipe for disaster

We haven't reached that point yet or even come close to it, but I think you have a valid point in that strategic products such as computers need to be closely regulated as to place of manufacture.

[paraclete]

I think many things need to be treated as strategic and the place of manufacture closely controlled

[talaniman]

Capitalists don't believe in that kind of control, Clete, nor should they in my opinion. They should be flexible when stuff happens though as we all should. As a matter of course though location for manufacturing is generally condition based with a complex multitude of factors subject to a rather extensive cost benefit analysis and feasibility study.

[paraclete]

Oh Please, tell me you don't have strategic industries

[talaniman]

Of course we do. Private contractors supply many government agencies and functions, both from here and abroad. Just wondering what you were yammering about now.

[paraclete]

China the low cost country with the high cost objectives