New
New
Global transport routes
I can describe global transport routes and explain the importance of the Suez Canal in global trade.
Lesson 7 of 12
New
New
- Year 8
Global transport routes
I can describe global transport routes and explain the importance of the Suez Canal in global trade.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Container ships transport products across the world.
- Many container ships take products from eastern China to western Europe through a series of 'choke points'.
- The Suez Canal is an important route for global trade from Asia to Europe.
- In 2021 the Ever Given became stuck in the Suez Canal, delaying global trade.
Keywords
Containerisation - using containers to transport goods by ships, road and rail
Choke point - narrow passageways of water in global transport routes
Global trade - the exchange of goods, money and services between countries
Cargo - goods carried by ships, road, rail and aircraft
Common misconception
The Suez Canal is only important for the Middle East.
The Suez Canal is important globally as 30% of all global container traffic and 12% of all global trade passes through the canal.
Start the lesson by asking pupils to use atlases to work out what route ships will use to transport products from China to the UK. This will help pupils engage with the content as they may see the chokepoints for themselves.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is globalisation?
What is globalisation?
The spread of local cultures
The development of new languages
The closing of international borders
Q2.Which of these is an example of globalisation?
Which of these is an example of globalisation?
Local farmers only selling within their village
People staying in one country their whole lives
The invention of the wheel
Q3.What has helped make globalisation easier?
What has helped make globalisation easier?
Limited travel and communication
Isolating countries from each other
Less access to international trade
Q4.Which of the following is an effect of globalisation?
Which of the following is an effect of globalisation?
More isolated communities
Fewer jobs available globally
Local cultures disappearing completely
Q5.What is a negative impact of globalisation?
What is a negative impact of globalisation?
More travel between countries
More cultural understanding
Better quality products
Q6.Which of these is a global company?
Which of these is a global company?
A local coffee shop in your town
A family-run bakery
A single bookshop
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a major reason transport routes are important for globalisation?
What is a major reason transport routes are important for globalisation?
They only connect cities within the same country
They reduce the number of businesses
They allow countries to become isolated
Q2.Which of these is an example of a global transport route?
Which of these is an example of a global transport route?
A road connecting two villages
A local bus service within a city
Q3.The __________ canal is important globally as 30% of all global container traffic and 12% of all global trade passes through the canal.
The __________ canal is important globally as 30% of all global container traffic and 12% of all global trade passes through the canal.
Panama
Amsterdam
Q4.What is one challenge of more global transport routes as a result of globalisation?
What is one challenge of more global transport routes as a result of globalisation?
Faster movement of people
Decrease in the number of goods being traded
More local jobs
