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
• general cargo ships
• cable layers
• offshore supply vessels
• DP(Dynamically Positioned) ships
• ferries / RORO (roll on-roll off)

• car carriers
• tugboats
• dredgers
• barges

Shipping companies

Aboitiz Transport System Corporation, Philippines

ARTEX Fine Art Serices
Associated Transport Line
Atlantic Container Line
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 Sd
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

Waybill