Table II-1-Countries with Extensive Adjacent Shallow Ocean Areas

Note: These estimates are for illustrative purposes only. They will vary widely depending on assumptions concerning seaward extension of international boundaries, effect of irregularities in ocean floor contours, demarcation of shallow areas adjacent to several countries, and other factors.

Source: Departments of State and Navy.

serve national and international political purposes. History has shown that nations which trade with each other develop enduring cultural bonds and political and economic ties.

The need for maritime transportation is increasing. The growth of world population, the expansion of economic activity, and the accompanying in

crease in the international exchange of goods and services inevitably enlarge worldwide requirements for transporting goods and people over the principal oceanic trade routes. Figure II-3 depicts the principal trade routes of particular importance to the United States. Furthermore, many of the developing countries require increasing sea transport to carry more finished goods, fossil fuels, and raw materials essential for their increasing populations. As shown in Figures II-4 and II-5, the more advanced nations have considered the development of maritime transportation essential, and oceanborne trade will grow rapidly in the decades ahead.

Maritime transportation is also essential to national security. While air movement is becoming increasingly important, especially for high value, low density cargo the bulk of worldwide intercontinental commerce and military goods still move over the sea.1 Today, 97 percent of U.S. military tonnage is transported to Vietnam by ship. Other military assistance and foreign aid programs also rely heavily on sea transportation.

A collateral benefit of marine transportation in some countries is the shipbuilding industry's contribution to the economy. For example, by the end of 1968, ships of 200,000 tons and upwards were being built in seven Japanese dry docks. Two more docks will begin service in 1971. Most growth in ship construction capacity during the next three to five years is expected in Europe. Eight massive building ways are now being operated, planned, built, or completed in Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Because of the rapidly increasing size of ships, particularly of bulk carriers, the actual number of ships in the world fleet is expected to grow more slowly than in the past. The number of supertankers larger than 200,000 DWT is expected to comprise one-half of the total world tonnage capacity by 1973. By 1983, tankers in the 400,000 to 600,000 DWT category may comprise 10 percent of total world tonnage capacity.

1 Costs per ton mile of various ships and aircraft

Note: Costs for unsubsidized ship and aircraft for typical trans-Atlantic route, including handling the cargo on and off the vehicle, but not including packaging or inland transportation.

Source: Benford, H. "Ocean Transport-an Outline of Commercial Requirements for Ships," Midwest Research Seminar in Meteorology and Oceanography, May 1966.