Article

2010-01-18 Science & Technology

Map and Scientific Study of Global Shipping Network

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Posted by 3dc 2010-01-18 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 Fascinating article. Would like to get a good jpg of the route map.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2010-01-18 02:28|| 2010-01-18 02:28|| Front Page Top

#2 PDF of the entire study (has graphic in it)
http://arxiv1.library.cornell.edu/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/1001/1001.2172v1.pdf

Posted by abu do you love 2010-01-18 03:03|| 2010-01-18 03:03|| Front Page Top

#3 I thought this was just another useless study, but then I saw the light:
One of the most significant methods of cross species invasion is from water sucked into ships' ballast tanks in one part of the world and discharged in another; a particularly important factor when ships sail empty.

So the new network map should give marine biologists an insight into how bioinvasion occurs and what steps they can take to tackle it.
Some cause celeb has to follow global warming/climate change.

Posted by Bobby 2010-01-18 07:11|| 2010-01-18 07:11|| Front Page Top

#4 Despite carrying 90 percent of the planet's trade, nobody has mapped the network of links between the world's ports. Until now.

Are these guys sure? I would think various intelligence agencies would track this kind of information on a real-time basis.

Posted by JohnQC 2010-01-18 08:29|| 2010-01-18 08:29|| Front Page Top

#5 I think the U.S. Coast Guard tracks ships worldwide.

Posted by JohnQC 2010-01-18 08:31|| 2010-01-18 08:31|| Front Page Top

#6 Good spotting Bobby...
BBC NEWS link today
UK meeting aims for new global biodiversity deal
...

According to UN documents prepared following consultations with governments, these could include:

* stopping the rate of biodiversity loss by 2020
* ending subsidies that harm biodiversity
* ending destructive fishing practices
* controlling the unintentional transfer of species from place to place
* placing at least 15% of land and sea area under protection

Posted by 3dc 2010-01-18 09:08|| 2010-01-18 09:08|| Front Page Top

#7 JohnQC: The real purpose of this is anti-terrorism. And yes, this is the first time it will have been done on a planetary scale. This is because only the US has enough satellites to do an around the clock survey tracking ships.

There is a huge amount of maritime hanky-panky that goes on continually, from smuggling, illegal military transfers, the drug trade, illegal toxic waste disposal, fish poaching, piracy, etc., etc.

And while *nothing* of the sort is even mentioned, submarine traffic is likewise very big on the agenda.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-01-18 10:34|| 2010-01-18 10:34|| Front Page Top

#8 Thanks for the link, abu!

Posted by Alaska Paul 2010-01-18 11:02|| 2010-01-18 11:02|| Front Page Top

#9 Thanks for the elaboration 3dc and anonymoose. Makes things clearer. I have heard that a lot of people smuggled via the rat trails through Mexico are islamics. I also wonder if these islamics initially come by ship to say South America (after a couple of intermediate stops) and then on to Mexico?

Posted by JohnQC 2010-01-18 13:54|| 2010-01-18 13:54|| Front Page Top

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