Merchant Marine

Summary of Merchant Marine

A nation's fleet of oceangoing commercial cargo and passenger vessels. In some nations these vessels may be owned and operated by instrumentalities of the government. For most of the major maritime nations, however, the vessels are privately owned and operated, although government subsidies are often provided. A vessel is part of the merchant marine of the country in which it is registered; it may be impressed into naval service of that country in time of war or other national emergency.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)

Resources

See Also

• Transport
• Transportation Means
• Transport Law
• Transport Contract