Sea lane
（重定向自Sealane）
![The ocean currents](/Images/godic/202502/09/Corrientes-oceanicas3619.png")
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![Left: This map of shipping routes illustrates the present-day density of commercial shipping in the world's oceans.
Right: 16th century and also current day trade routes prey to pirating and privateering.](/Images/godic/202502/09/Shipping_routes_red_black3620.png")
![Ruta marítima del Río de la Plata al Mediterráneo.](/Images/godic/202502/09/RutasMaritimas3620.PNG")
A sea lane, sea road or shipping lane is a regularly used route for vessels on oceans and large lakes. In the Age of Sail they were not only determined by the distribution of land masses but also the prevailing winds, whose discovery was crucial for the success of long voyages. Sea lanes are very important for trade by sea.