Shipping, Maritime, Merchant Fleet, Ship Jobs

What are Places of Refuge for Ships in Distress?

The primary priority when a ship is involved in an accident or cannot continue its voyage is to remove the vessel, crew, and cargo from harm's way while avoiding further damage to the environment. But where would they go? Who should help them?

How Do Car Carrier Ships Work & What Do They Do?

Have you ever wondered how car carrier ships work & how they transport their wares? Join us as we take a look at vehicle carriers & RoRo cargo.

Everything You Need to Know About Offshore Vessels

Wondering what an offshore vessel is? This blog post covers offshore supply vessels, offshore support vessels, oil exploration vessels and more.

Interesting Facts about Modern Maritime Transport

You might be surprised to know how maritime transport started with hollowed logs in ancient times and turned into the behemoth ships that we have today.

Everything You Need to Know About Heavy Lift Vessels

A heavy lift vessel (HLV) is a huge freight ship designed to carry cargo that goes above and beyond the size and weight of the kind of items usually found on a container ship. Think: Dredging equipment, floating dry docks and plants, drilling rigs, offshore structures and even other vessels.

Everything You Need to Know About Supramax Vessels

Aside from container ships, one of the most commonly spotted vessels at sea is the bulk carrier. Unlike container ships which transport goods in - you guessed it - shipping containers, bulk carriers carry loose cargo in huge (bulk) quantities. A Supramax vessel is a type of bulk carrier.

Everything You Need to Know About Crane Vessels

As you have probably guessed from its name, a crane vessel - also known as a floating crane, crane ship or heavy lift vessel - is an ocean-going vessel which has one or more cranes mounted on to it. These gigantic ships are incredibly powerful and can handle extremely heavy loads.

Why Do Ships Use Port & Starboard?

Why do ships use port & starboard instead of left & right? How do you remember which is port & which is starboard? Our blog post has the answers!

What is a Stowaway on a Ship?

Ever since ships began trading internationally there have been people seeking a better life for themselves, or fleeing war or persecution - but who don’t have the financial means. But recently the problem is increasing as more people are willing to take the very real risks involved in stowing away.

Will Container Ships Be Replaced by Sailing Cargo Ships?

Could sailing cargo ships eventually replace traditional cargo and container ships? There's a lot to think about & this blog takes a closer look.

Sea Trials: The Importance of Putting Ships to the Test

You might have heard of 'sea trials'. But what are sea trials, why are they important and what do they actually involve? At sea, there are any number of factors affecting a voyage so it's crucial for shipowners to be prepared for anything. And this is where sea trials come into play.

What To Do When Your Vessel is Dragging Anchor

What happens when an anchor is lowered but the ship doesn't stay in place? That is called a dragging anchor & we will discuss this in this post.

What Factors Affect Container Ship Capacity?

Containers are an integral part of shipping and logistics. They are used to transport a wide range of goods around the world, ranging from consumer goods like electronics and clothing to industrial goods like machinery and raw materials.

What is Marine Salvage?

Marine salvage is the process of retrieving, rescuing, and repairing a ship – saving also its crew, cargo, and other properties – after a shipwreck or any other maritime accidents.

What is Dry Docking & Why Do Ships Do It?

Every machine needs regular maintenance, repairs, and upkeep to operate efficiently. The procedure used for routinely maintaining and repairing ships, boats, and other watercraft is called dry docking.

How Mini Cargo Ships Help Cadets Navigate Maritime Careers

Simulators, time at sea and maritime academies are all ways cadets gain experience before working at sea. Now say hello to miniature cargo ships!

How are Perishable Food Items Shipped?

Transporting perishable food via sea is one of the more complex processes when it comes to shipping. Food shipments are some of the most delicate

Autonomous Ships: The Future of Maritime Transport?

Driverless cars have been making headlines for a while now but while the roads of our cities are yet to be populated by autonomous vehicles the technology is proving it’s not just a flash in the pan - so when will we see marine tech such as smart ships making waves?

Everything You Need to Know About LNG & LPG Tankers

Want to know what LNG & LPG tankers are? If so, you’re on the right blog! We’re looking at LNG & LPG ships and seeing what they transport and how.

Everything You Need to Know About Gas Carrier Ships

A gas carrier ship, also known as a gas tanker, LPG/LNG tanker or LPG/LNG carrier is a vessel that has been designed specifically for the purpose of carrying bulk quantities of liquefied petroleum gasses (LPG) or liquefied natural gasses (LNG) from one destination to another.

Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Ships

A cruise ship is a passenger ship that sails to a number of different destinations. The pleasure of the voyage being the point. Cruise ships are synonymous with being luxury vessels & their amenities, activities, dining options & entertainment are all created with the passenger experience in mind

Everything You Need to Know About Mining Ships

In this post we’re going to be taking a look at one of the lesser known merchant ships: The mining vessel. So if you’ve ever sat down and Googled “what is a mining ship” or “what is a mining vessel” you’re in luck!

Why Are Ships Referred to as 'She'?

In the past sailors would spend a lot of time at sea and would develop strong attachment to their ships. As a result, it was typical for them to refer to their ship with affection. Seafarers were said to be "married to the sea" and frequently named their ships after the women they cherished.

Everything You Need to Know About Car Carrier Ships

A car carrier or car carrier ship is a vessel that’s been designed for the transportation of either just cars, or a combination of cars, trucks, buses and other wheeled vehicles. Car carriers are a type of RoRo ships - which means Roll-On, Roll-Off, as this is how their cargo is loaded and unloaded.

How Are Ships Named?

Virtually every vessel is named, whether it’s a merchant navy cargo or container ship, a small yacht used by a family for sailing on their local lake, a canal boat, a military vessel, or a rowboat.

How ECDIS Transformed the Maritime Industry

Today, navigation is aided by technology. If you’re pinpointing locations or accessing directions, there’s a high chance you’re using an Electronic Chart Display and Information System AKA ECDIS.

Everything You Need to Know About Oil Tankers

A tanker is a ship that transports liquid cargo in bulk. It doesn’t use containers or barrels but stores the liquid in a hold. The majority of tankers carry oil, hence the name, however some tankers also move edible oils and other liquified food stuffs such as treacle/molasses and drinks like wine.

What Are the Different Types of Alarms on Ships?

Coupled with fickle weather, treacherous seas, and a dose of manmade error, life at sea can be challenging and risky. But that's where your ship's emergency signals and alarms can help. They can assist the crew in responding appropriately to a crisis or preventing an issue.

Everything You Need to Know About Tugboats

Tugboats are small powerful vessels with a number of tasks, mainly the towing or pushing of much bigger ships. But there's more to it than that!

The Application of SAP in Maritime Trade

Want to find out how SAP can help your maritime company increase efficiency & compliancy while letting you make data-driven decisions? Read this.

What Equipment Can You Find in a Ship's Engine Room?

An engine room typically consists of three platforms—the top, middle, and bottom But what is on each of those platforms? And why are they located there?

Everything You Need to Know About RoRo Ships

Do you want to know what a RoRo ship is? If so, you’ve come to the right place. RoRo stands for roll-on / roll-off which means it’s a vessel that has been designed to carry wheeled cargo: Think cars, vans, trailers, busses and trucks. Anything that can be ‘rolled on and then rolled off’ the ship.

Everything You Need to Know About Lightships

A lightship, or lightvessel, is a ship fitted with a beacon on a mast that functions in the same way as a lighthouse: To act as a warning and to help other vessels safely navigate at night or in fog. Lightships are commonly used in waters that are too deep for a lighthouse to be constructed.

What Do Modern Ships Use to Navigate?

In this post we thought we’d take a look at some of the different ways that crews on vessels today navigate so that they, and their cargo (and passengers, if any) can safely and accurately reach their port of destination.

World Marine Aids to Navigation Day

July 1st was World Marine Aids to Navigation Day so what better topic to cover? What is World Marine Aids to Navigation Day & why did it begin?

Everything You Need to Know About Cable Laying Ships

Want to know what a cable laying ship is? Cable ships are deep sea going vessels which are designed to lay underwater cables on the sea bed.

What Are Nautical Flags & What Do They Mean?

Ever wondered what those colored flags flown by boats and ships on their masts are? They're nautical flags and this blog explains what they mean!

Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Tankers

A chemical tanker is a type of cargo ship that has been specifically constructed, or adapted, to carry liquid chemicals in bulk. They are the main form of transport when it comes to moving the commodities that provide the world with its energy requirements from point A to point B.

Everything You Need to Know About Icebreaker Ships

As the name suggests an icebreaker ship breaks ice in water. But there's more to this vessel. Find out what an icebreaker boat does in this post.

How is eCommerce Changing the Future of Maritime Transport?

The introduction of the ship container shook maritime transport and the industry to its core. Sure, boxes revolutionized it but they also effected employment figures. A similar transition is happening with the rise of eCommerce and automation of the industry: what’s changing the future this time?

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Life Jackets

According to the dictionary, a life jacket is a life preserver in the form of a buoyant jacket. This sleeveless inflatable jacket is also known as a personal flotation device and it aims to prevent drowning by keeping the wearer afloat when water-related accidents occur.

Your Guide to Types of Boats, Yachts, Ships & Vessels

It’ll come as no surprise that there’s a whole host of different boats, ships, vessels, and other watercraft out there. From the smallest canoe to traditional sailing clippers and from cargo ships to icebreakers and fishing boats, there’s no end of topics to explore. Which is what we’re going to do!

Why Are Vessels Scrapped & What Happens to Them?

In the maritime industry champagne bottle smashings are used to mark the birth of new ships but the fate of retired ships is rarely discussed.

Will Autonomous Ships Signal the End of Seafarer Jobs?

Autonomous ships and smart ships are buzzwords that have been doing the rounds in the maritime industry recently. And it’s not surprising that many have expressed concern for the future of seafarer jobs. But the rise of self sailing ships doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the mariner. Here’s why.

Everything You Need to Know About Feeder Vessels

A feeder vessel is a medium size container ship. Its job is to collect shipping containers from a port and transport them to transhipment hubs or central container terminals so they can be loaded onto larger vessels to complete their journey or onto other vehicles so they can be transported inland.

Everything You Need to Know About Fireboats

The water-based or offshore cousin to a fire engine or fire truck, the fireboat is a vessel that has onboard equipment, such as nozzles, hoses and pumps, that are used to fight and extinguish fires both on other ships, as well as along the coastline, on docks and in ports and warehouses.

Sea Freight vs Air Freight: How Do They Differ?

The coming and going of merchandise and commodities from one place to another are often done either via sea or air. These are the fastest options for productive and profitable commerce.

Everything You Need to Know About Fishing Vessels

We all know a fishing vessel is a boat used to catch fish, whether that’s on the sea, a lake or a river. It goes without saying that fishing boats vary in size and complexity, but what you might not know is that they can be broken down into a number of main categories and then subcategories.

Everything You Need to Know About Dredgers

A dredger is a boat equipped with a tool that sucks, excavates or scrapes sediment like sand, silt, gravel, trash, rocks, debris and animal and plant matter from the sea bed or a river, estuary or canal. The materials moved are placed elsewhere or disposed of in an act known as dredging.

Everything You Need to Know About Bulk Carriers

A bulk carrier, bulker, or bulk freighter is a type of merchant ship that transports dry goods in bulk that are not packed into containers, drums or other packaging. We’re talking about cargo such as grain, cement, coal, ore and even sugar.

Everything You Need to Know About Ferries

Ferries are mainly known as a type of boat that transports passengers from one place to another, and, usually, back again. They have more in common with a bus or train than a cruise ship as their main purpose is to provide passengers with transportation for a reason rather than for leisure.

Life on a Container Ship: A Shore-Based Employee's Week at Sea

Do you see yourself living life on a container ship? Are you considering a career in the maritime industry? Maybe you just want to know what life on a vessel is like? Our office-based coworker recently spent a week on a cargo ship and this is a unique insight into day-to-day life at sea.

What are Aids to Navigation in Maritime?

What are Aids to Navigation (ATONs) in the maritime industry - and why should seafarers always be mindful of them? Let’s find out!

What Are Some Different Types of Merchant Navy Ships?

There are numerous types of boats and ships plying their trade across the world’s oceans, from small pleasure craft to fishing boats and from superyachts to warships. Here at Martide, we’re interested in the types of ships you’ll find in the merchant navy.

Everything You Need to Know About Pilot Boats

Ever wondered what a pilot boat and a marine pilot’s job is? This is the blog post for you. Read on as we take a look at pilotage and pilot boats

Everything You Need to Know About Coaster Vessels

Ever wondered what a coaster vessel is? This article is one in a series of posts about the merchant fleet and covers coastal sailing ships.

Can Passengers Travel on Cargo Ships?

You think you've seen it all, from opulent cruise ships with 5-star superior suites and eco-retreats with activity programs removed from the mainstream tourists. However, have you ever thought about taking a journey in the "Container Class"?

Everything You Need to Know About Cargo & Container Ships

Ever wondered what the difference between a cargo and a container ship is? Ever wanted to know exactly what a cargo ship is and whether or not there are different types of cargo and container ships? You’ve come to the right place! Join us as we take a deep dive.

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