- Ships and Shipping
- Reached highest efficiency in 1860s with clipper ships. Suited to low volume, high profit goods such as tea, opium, spices. Used to carry mail and people.
- Development of steamship allowed heavy goods to be carried overseas in 1850s. Reduced travel time between Great Britain and West Africa to less than 3 weeks and increased cargo capacity.
- Opening of Suez Canal in 1869 and development of triple expansion engine in 1870s further stimulated construction of steam carriers.
- Steamships also used in inland regions, for example travelling up River Niger.
- Railways
- Railways key to economic development in Empire but also maintaining control. Allowed quick transport of goods.
- British provided investment, engineers and rolling stock resulting in colonies depending on Britain. Allowed Britain to pressurise governments.
- Canada forced to accept British policies on defence in mid-1860s, as price of London capital guaranteed.
- Railways allowed Australia to export wheat and wool, South Africa to expand territories and commercial interests in region, India to link cotton & jute-growing areas of North with mills of Bombay and Calcutta and enabling rice to reach ports for export and, in West Africa, allowed for links between land and sea.
- British provided investment, engineers and rolling stock resulting in colonies depending on Britain. Allowed Britain to pressurise governments.
- Canals and rivers
Canals and rivers allowed explorers to investigate Africa beyond accessible coast areas. In India, canals and rivers built waterways where there were none. Allowed avoidance of hazardous stretches of water.