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Cargo Ships: The Last Frontier of Adventure Travel?
21 Sep
Summary
- Cargo ships offer unique access to remote locations inaccessible by road or air.
- Post-Covid, passenger travel on cargo ships has significantly decreased.
- New sustainable cargo ship companies are emerging, incorporating passenger services.
Traveling via cargo ship offers a unique adventure to remote destinations unreachable by conventional transport. The MV Alejandrina's journey through Chile's Chonos Archipelago exemplifies this, providing a vital link to secluded islands. Historically, freighter travel was popular before the advent of air travel, romanticized in films and offering a practical means of transport.
However, the landscape of freighter travel has changed dramatically, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic. Many major shipping lines, like Maersk, have ceased passenger services due to increased safety and operational complexities. This decline has impacted smaller operators, with several going out of business.
Despite the challenges, opportunities for cargo ship travel remain. Some short-haul ferries continue to operate, such as those in southern Chile and Quebec. Additionally, companies like Aranui in French Polynesia and the new Neoliner Origin, which utilizes solar sails for sustainable transport, are demonstrating that passenger services can be a viable and even growing part of cargo operations.
These modern freighter voyages offer a distinct experience from conventional cruises, focusing on authentic encounters and access to off-the-beaten-path locations. While options have dwindled, this niche travel method provides an alluring and adventurous way to explore remote corners of the globe, with innovations suggesting a potential future for this unique form of exploration.
