CEFR C1

water carriage

noun phrase

Meaning

The transport of goods or people by ship, boat, barge, or other vessel over rivers, seas, or canals. It is a formal term used in logistics, trade, and infrastructure planning to distinguish shipping from road, rail, or air transport.

Examples

  • Water carriage is often the cheapest option for moving heavy bulk commodities like grain and coal.
  • The new canal was built to promote water carriage between the industrial cities.

Synonyms: shipping, maritime transport, sea freight, water transport, barge transport