Ships & the Global Economy.
Maritime trade & globalization

Understanding the vessels behind world trade

Clear, well-researched articles about ships, ports and the maritime systems behind the global economy — written by Marcos Vieira.

Latest articles

7 Types of Ships That Keep the Global Economy Moving
Container ships, tankers, bulk carriers and more — learn the main types of commercial ships and the essential role each one plays in world trade.
How Global Supply Chains Depend on Maritime Transport
Just-in-time factories, distributed production, resilient sourcing: why every modern supply chain is built on top of ships, and what happens when the sea link breaks.
Why Ships Fly Foreign Flags: Registries and Flags of Convenience Explained
Most merchant ships are registered in countries different from their owners'. What ship registries do, why open registries dominate, and the debates around the system.
Freight Rates: The Hidden Price That Moves the World Economy
Freight rates are the heartbeat of global trade. What they are, how indexes track them, why they swing so wildly, and how they reach consumer prices.

About this site

Ships & the Global Economy publishes original articles in English about ships, ports, shipping routes, and the role of maritime transport in the global economy. Every article is checked against reliable industry sources such as UNCTAD, the IMO and the World Shipping Council.

New articles are added regularly. Learn more about us or get in touch.