# Comparative Studies of Major Sea Routes
## 1 Introduction  
The maritime transport of goods is a very important part of global logistics, and most of the world's exports and imports are transported by sea vessels, especially between the main economic locations of Southeast Asia, North America, and Western Europe. In this way, sea routes are very important for the world economy and global logistics [1, 2]. The choice of ship routes, if there are possible alternatives, depends on many factors, such as navigational safety of shipping; safety of the whole ship; hydrometeorological conditions; conditions of navigational equipment; and various navigational, economic, and political restrictions [3, 4]. There are several important industrial zones in the world, between which intensive transportation of large quantities of goods takes place. Several such important regions can be singled out: North America, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe. Among the aforementioned regions are several global shipping regulatory sites, such as the Suez and Panama Canals. Also, other very important sea routes can connect the mentioned industrial areas; these are the sea routes around the African continent, as well as the Northern Sea route and the Northwestern Sea route, and the discussion of which is very important [5]. The analysis of the aforementioned main sea routes and their application to the transportation of large cargo flows is important. By the beginning of 2024, about 13 percent of the world's export and import goods were transported through the Suez Canal. The Panama Canal carries relatively large volumes of cargo, and a significant portion of cargo is transported by sea routes around the African continent, especially after the start of the 2024 conflict situation in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen [6, 7]. An analysis of the main advantages and disadvantages of the existing and proposed and potential major sea routes is essential. The Suez Canal is one of the most important sea routes, as it allows for the passage of ships with a draft of up to 18 m and a deadweight of up to 250,000-300,000 tons. The main disadvantages of the Suez Canal are the relatively low sailing speed (up to 12-14 knots, in some places lower), rather long waiting time for ships, and the one-way (single) movement of ships in individual sections of the canal. There is always a risk of major disruptions in areas with one-way (single) movement of ships, as happened with the container ship \"Ever Given\" in 2021 [7; 8; 9]. The Panama Canal, after the new locks came into operation in 2016, is very important and allows for the passage of ships up to 365 m long, 50 m wide, and up to 16 m draft. Such container ships have a container capacity of up to 15,000 TEU [10]. The length of the canal is about 82 km, and ships cover this route in 10-12 h, including lock operations. At the same time, we can mention the main disadvantages limiting the use of this sea route: ship size restrictions, i.e., NEW PANAMAX container ships and similar-sized bulk cargoes and tankers are able to pass through; before sailing the Panama Canal for the first time, additional time is required to complete the procedures for obtaining the Panama Canal certificate--this takes up to 12-18 h in individual cases (depending on the waiting time); operations in the locks are complex and require very precise actions and the use of tugs, which also require additional costs [10; 11; 12; 13]. A common advantage of the Suez and Panama channels is their geographical location, i.e., no very frequent storms or ice conditions, and great experience of canal administration staff [14]. When sailing around the African continent, the parameters of ships are not limited, i.e., ships of all sizes can use this sea route.