Because of containerization it is super-cheap to ship things. For example, the Emma Mærsk can ship 11,000+ containers and requires a crew of only 13 people. It

Because of containerization it is super-cheap to ship things. For example, the Emma Mærsk can ship 11,000+ containers and requires a crew of only 13 people. It is powered by a single diesel engine, and has special drag-reducing paint on it's hull. Once in port all of the cargo can be offloaded and on the move in under 24 hours - they don't sit in warehouses anymore. There is an army of things like this cruising the oceans, and that is why shipping is so inexpensive. So in fact the global system of trade at has emerged in the post WWII era is ultra-efficient and ultra-competitive.