Have international transportation costs declined?

mmpPDFResearch PaperFreight serviceRates, fares and tollsCostsTransportation modesAir cargoOcean shippingNational Bureau of Economic ResearchHummels, DavidNTL-AVIATION-Aviation Economics and FinanceNTL-FREIGHT-Freight Economics and FinanceNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-Marine Economics and FinanceUS Transportation CollectionHave international transportation costs declined? This paper provides a detailed accounting of the time-series pattern of shipping costs. Direct evidence from an eclectic mix of data shows that ocean freight rates have increased while air freight rates have declined rapidly. Indirect evidence suggests that the cost of overland transport has declined relative to ocean transport. For all modes, the freight costs associated with increased distance have declined. Data on the changing composition of trade are broadly consistent with these changes in relative prices. References, appendices, figures, tables, 42p