Final answer:
The correct answer is option 2) water. The correct answer to the provided question is water transportation, which is essential for global supply chains and the movement of goods worldwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
While air, rail, and space are certainly other forms of transportation, water transportation plays a critical role in global supply chains for the manufacture of consumer goods. Modes like cargo ships fall under this category and are integral to globalization, enabling the movement of large quantities of goods across the globe. These vessels, which include a spectrum of sizes and capabilities, are designed to navigate seas and oceans, thereby connecting international markets. Despite the advent of air travel, waterborne transport remains a cornerstone for international trade due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to transport massive volumes.
While it requires significant energy, with efficiency measured in kilowatt-hours per kilometer, shipping by water is still a preferred method for heavy and non-perishable goods. This mode of transportation, like others, faces challenges with the adoption of electric drive systems due to the mass and energy required to move large ships.
Ground transportation includes vehicles such as cars, buses, and trains that operate on land. Water transportation includes ships, boats, and barges that travel on rivers, lakes, and oceans.
In the context of global supply chains and shipping goods, cargo ships are an important mode of water transportation. They play a critical role in transporting goods across the globe, connecting countries and facilitating international trade.