Shipping
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Shipping is the transportation of goods and cargo. Over 90% of world trade is carried by the international shipping industry, and without shipping the import and export of goods on the scale necessary for the modern world would not be possible.[1] In 2003, the international shipping industry transported 6.2 billion tonnes of cargo.[2] The British Chamber of Shipping asserts that there are around 50,000 merchant ships trading internationally, transporting every kind of cargo, registered in over 150 nations, and manned by over a million seafarers of virtually every nationality.[3]
Types of vessel in the world merchant fleet
- Container ships - These carry most of the world's manufactured goods and products, usually through scheduled liner services.
- Bulk carriers - These transport raw materials such as iron ore, grain, fertilizers and coal.
- Tankers - These transport crude oil, chemicals and petroleum products.
- Ferries and Cruise ships - Ferries perform short journeys, carrying a combination of passengers, cars and commercial vehicles, while cruise ships operate as "floating hotels".
- Combination Passenger and Cargo Ships - These must have a capacity for 13 or more passengers.[4]
- Specialist vessels - These include anchor handling and supply vessels for the offshore oil industry, salvage tugs, ice breakers and research vessels.