The principle that will be discussed in the paper runs as ‘Do not ship air and do not ship water’. It was known long time ago and we will relate it to The Silk Road route. What did it actually mean at the time when the Silk Road uniting the West with the East was the most actively used?
Firstly, it should be said that the Silk Road was the major Supply Chain and as such it was highly valued by every merchant. The Silk Road connected the largest world centers with each other. On its way the most magnificent buildings were built and it might be presumed that the road was constantly busy with never-ending stream of people who were interested either in selling or buying or bantering goods.
Considering some principles of logistics, we can claim that it was already at those times that the realization dawned upon traders about the relation of costs to the route. In other words, it was expensive and sometimes not entirely safe to travel the Silk Road. So if a merchant set out to go, he had in mind making some profit. Shipping air or water, it is natural, would bring him the desired profit. From here on a conclusion may be reached that there was no use in doing so.
Also time might be considered an important factor in logistics. While one ships air or water, he loses time – and time has always been of immense value. Actually, it was so even at the historic period in question. Thus, costs and time are the answers why one should abide by the principle we have considered.
References
Christian, David (2000). Silk Roads or Steppe Roads? The Silk Roads in World History. Journal of World History (University of Hawaii Press) 2.1 (Spring): 1.
