5.7 Ferries And Ships As Water Transportation Services
A ferry is a vessel used to transport passengers and/or vehicles across a body of water on a regular schedule. As a part of the public transportation system of many coastal cities and islands, ferries allow direct transit between points at costs significantly lower than bridges or tunnels (Pickens, 2019).
According to Interferry, “the global ferry industry is similar in size to the commercial airline industry, transporting approximately 4.27 billion passengers per year, plus 373 million vehicles (including cars, buses and trailers)” (2019, para. 3).
Water Transportation As A Destination

Attributions
- Figure 5.12: Carbon footprint of travel per kilometer, 2022 by Our World in Data is released under CC BY 4.0
A waterborne vessel or boat used for transporting passengers, vehicles, or cargo across bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or seas, providing an essential link in maritime transportation networks.
A network of various modes of transportation, including buses, trains, subways, and trams, operated by public agencies or authorities to provide mobility and accessibility for residents and visitors within a region or city.