Background

As of 2020, there were 99,800 globally registered commercial vessels; approximately 50,000 of these ships are generally oil tankers, bulk carriers, general cargo and container ships - with general cargo ships having the major share.

These figures outline the market of seagoing vessels in the 100 gross tons and above segment, all of which are operated on a generically prescheduled service on predefined shipping routes and schedules.

These figures do not include inland water vessels, fishing vessels, military vessels, large yachts or off shore platforms and barges, with the exception of FPSO - floating production, storage and offloading vessels - and drill ships.

(UNCTAD STAT, 2020)