Why water transportation is the cheapest transportation?

Waterways have been the most common means of transport from earlier days. Waterways are the cheapest and easiest way of carrying bulky goods over long distances. One of its greatest benefits is that it does not require any route construction or maintenance.

Waterways can be inland waterways or sea routes. Navigable rivers, canals, backwaters, and lakes are used as inland waterways. It was the major means of transportation before the advent of railways and roadways. Inland waterways are the only means of transportation through dense, impenetrable forests and areas defined by certain tribal groups. Sea routes and oceanic routes are mostly used for transporting bulky goods from one country to another. Waterways is a major means of domestic and foreign trade. But, to establish as a major trading centre, the port must have a well-connected rail and road transit network.