Merchant navy
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A merchant navy or merchant marine is the fleet of merchant vessels that are registered in a specific country. On merchant vessels, seafarers of various ranks and sometimes members of maritime trade unions are required by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to carry Merchant Mariner's Documents.
British propaganda during World War II highlighted the role of Britain's Merchant Navy in sustaining the Allied war effort.
A recent example of British Merchant Navy officers, graduating at their 'passing out' ceremony from Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton, with former First Sea Lord Alan West, Baron West of Spithead, in 2011.
A portrait of a New Zealand Merchant Navy captain of a Fairmile 'submarine chaser', as he holds up and looks through a small coloured screen. This disc allows him to look into the sky to search for dive bombers without damaging his eyes.
Maritime transport
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Maritime transport or more generally waterborne transport, is the transport of people (passengers) or goods (cargo) via waterways. Freight transport by sea has been widely used throughout recorded history. The advent of aviation has diminished the importance of sea travel for passengers, though it is still popular for short trips and pleasure cruises. Transport by water is cheaper than transport by air or ground, but significantly slower for longer distances. Maritime transport accounts for roughly 80% of international trade, according to UNCTAD in 2020.
Nyk Aphrodite carrying up to 6500 containers
An able seaman stands iceberg lookout on the bow of the freighter USNS Southern Cross during a re-supply mission to McMurdo Station, Antarctica; circa 1981.
Container port facilities in Newark Bay, seen from Bayonne, New Jersey, United States
Image: Sabrina I