It is a mode of transport where the units of carriage transport goods and people on water.
Water in this case includes; navigable rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.
The means of transport which are the units of carriage or vessels using this mode include; ships, dhows, boats, steamers and ferries. Water transport can be divided into inland waterways and sea transport.

1. Inland waterways - This is transport carried out on lakes, rivers and inland canals. The Lake Victoria facilitates transport among the three east African countries i.e. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Ferries also connect the mainland to islands such as Rusinga Islands, found in Lake Victoria. Most rivers in Kenya are not navigable due to reasons such as: too small, waterfalls, too shallow, most are seasonal, and high gradient.
2. Sea Transport - This is where goods and people are transported in seas and oceans. All types of water vessels may be used in sea transport. Sea transport is important as it connects continents of the world thereby facilitating international trade. Kilindini in Mombasa provides a good natural harbor facilitating sea transport between Kenya and other countries of the world. Ferries also connect the island of Mombasa and the mainland.

A. Ships

A ship is a large vessel that transports people or goods through water. Their sizes however vary depending on quantity of goods and passengers they carry. Ships help in connecting countries or places which borders the sea. They load and offload in terminals referred to as harbors found at sea ports. For example, the Kilindini harbor is found in the port of Mombasa. Ships that transport people are referred to as passenger ship while those that transport goods are referred to as cargo ships. Cargo ships are c are convenient for carrying heavy and bulky goods. Ships may also be classified as either liners or tramps.

• Liners - These are ships that are owned and operated by shipping companies called conferences. Each conference is responsible for specifying the route on which each liner would operate the rates to be charged and setting the rules and regulations to be followed by the members. They bear the following characteristics;
• Have fixed routes
• Follow a fixed timetable
• Charges are fixed
• Call at specified ports along the route at specified intervals
• Travel at regular intervals.



An Ocean Liner (Image by - Courtesy)
• Tramps - These are ships that do not follow a regular route or time table. Their routes therefore depend on demand. During times when demand is high, they charge higher rates and when demand is low they lower their rates. Tramps can therefore be likened to matatus. Tramps may be owned by either individuals or firms. They have the following characteristics;
• Do not have a fixed rate. They therefore move to wherever there are goods or passengers to carry.
• Have no set timetables. They therefore move according to demand
• Their fares change according to demand.
• Their travelling patterns are irregular and therefore cannot be relied upon



An Ocean Tramp (Image by - Courtesy)

These are water vessels used in transporting goods and people over short distances.
They are therefore found in both inland water transport and also the sea transport.e.g the Likoni ferry in Mombasa carries people from and to the island of Mombasa and the main land.

A Ferry (Image by - Courtesy)

Advantages of Water Transport

1. Sea transport is economical to the owner as the number of employees to carriage volume ratio is less compared to road transport
2. Suited for transporting heavy and bulky goods
3. It is cheap as the way is natural and free
4. Connects countries of the world which border the sea
5. Special types of ships are available for transporting goods
6. Large volume can be carried thereby reducing cost per unit
7. Not affected by traffic congestion
8. Some ships can be very luxurious for passengers and may even provide swimming pools.
9. At the port/dock, there are many depots for storage of goods.

Disadvantages of Water Transport

1. Sea-sickness, sea-pirates and storms may occur
2. They are slow therefore not suitable for transporting perishable and urgently required goods
3. It is expensive to construct and maintain artificial harbors
4. Unfavorable weather conditions may affect water transport
5. Sea transport is not accessible to land locked countries
6. Lack of loading and off-loading facilities may lead to delay
7. Cost of acquiring and maintaining ships is high.
8. Theft of cargo and other valuables may occur during loading and offloading.