Which type of warfare prevents the effective use of cargo-carrying vessels by the enemy?

The correct choice is anti-surface ship warfare because it specifically targets and aims to impair the enemy's surface vessels, which include cargo-carrying ships. In warfare, disabling or destroying these types of ships can significantly disrupt an enemy's supply lines, logistics, and overall effectiveness in sustaining military operations. By doing so, the chances of the enemy being able to transport troops, supplies, and equipment across bodies of water are greatly diminished.

Other types of warfare, such as anti-air, focus on neutralizing aerial threats, while anti-submarine warfare addresses threats posed by submarines. Although both are crucial in their own right, they do not directly hinder the use of surface vessels like cargo carriers. Strike operations generally pertain to offensive assaults on various targets, which may not specifically address the enemy’s capacity to utilize cargo vessels effectively.