A tanker is a ship designed to transport or store liquids or gases in bulk. Major types of tankship include the oil tanker, the chemical tanker, cargo ships, and a gas carrier. Tankers also carry commodities such as vegetable oils, molasses and wine. In the United States Navy and Military Sealift Command, a tanker used to refuel other ships is called an oiler but many other navies use the terms tanker and replenishment tanker. Tankers were first developed in the late 19th century as iron and steel hulls and pumping systems were developed. As of 2005, there were just over 4,000 tankers and supertankers 10,000 LT DWT or greater operating worldwide.
Commercial crude oil supertanker AbQaiq
The Thomas W. Lawson (1902), converted in 1906 into the world's first sailing tanker.
A US Navy T2 tanker in 1943
The small coastal tanker Pegasus on the River Weser
A ship is a large vessel that travels the world's oceans and other navigable waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished from boats, based on size, shape, load capacity and purpose. Ships have supported exploration, trade, warfare, migration, colonization, and science. Ship transport is responsible for the largest portion of world commerce.
Feeder ship Iris Bolten at Container Terminal Altenwerder, port of Hamburg, Germany
Fijian voyaging outrigger boat with a crab claw sail
One of the sailing vessels depicted in Borobudur temple, c. 8th century AD in Java, Indonesia
Egyptian sailing ship, c. 1422–1411 BC