The Shipping reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
(provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Shipping

For thoughtful child sponsors

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 the largest man-made vehicles ever.

Types of ships involved in shipping include:

See also: affreightment - Mid-stream operation