Shipping is the transport of cargo between seaports by ships, typically large steel vessels powered by diesel engines or steam turbine plants. Many nations have built specialized naval ships to ensure the free movement of legitimate cargo; these "merchant navies" are essential to the world economy, carrying the bulk of international trade. The ships are also extremely expensive constructions themselves, being some of the largest man-made vehicles ever. The term originates with the shipping trade of wind power ships, and has come to refer to the delivery of cargo and parcels of any size above the common mail of letters and postcards.
Most cargo transport is by shipping rather than by air transport because shipping is cheaper. Air transport is usually reserved for products which must be sent within a certain time frame.
Shipping can more generally refer to the transport of freight ("shipments"), independent of the mode of transport. An example would be Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipping, where the primary mode of transport is by truck.
Types of ships involved
- container ships / box boats
-
bulk carriers (wet and
dry)
-
tankers
- chemical
- crude oil
- gas carriers
- LNG
- product
-
tankers
- general cargo ships
- cable layers
- offshore supply vessels
- DP(Dynamically Positioned) ships
- ferries / RORO (roll on-roll off)
Shipping companies
- Aboitiz Transport System Corporation, Philippines
- ARTEX Fine Art Serices
- Associated Transport Line
- Atlantic Container Line
- Aliança
- Australian National Line
- American President Lines (APL)
- Bergesen d.y. ASA
- Blue Star Line
- Canada Steamship Lines (CSL)
- China Navigation Company (CNCO) of Hong Kong
- CMA CGM
- Cosco
- CP Ships
- Cunard Line
- Deutsche Afrika Linien
- Dampskibsselskabet "NORDEN"
- Evergreen Marine Corporation is a Taiwanese shipping company.
- Hamburg Süd
- Hanjin
- Hapag-Lloyd
- Hyundai
- K Line
- Maersk Sealand
- Matson
- MSC
- Mitsui O.S.K.
- Neptune Orient Lines (NOL)
- NYK Line
- OOCL
- P&O Nedlloyd
- Safmarine
- Scorpio S.A.M
- Star Reefers
- United Arab Shipping Company
- Vertom Shipping and Trading b.v.
- WAL
- Yang Ming
- Zim - Integrated shipping Services
Ship classification registers
