Book Description

Giants Of The Sea is the story of the colossal cargo ships that make today's world trade possible and the nine pioneers most responsible for them. The book covers the development of the modern cargo shipping industry with a focus on the postwar period when specialization and increases in vessel size dramatically reduced shipping costs. Each of today's major shipping segments are covered in detail with data on the ships that comprise them along with related information on their activity. In addition to chapters on each of the nine individuals and their contributions, an array of other subjects are covered including in the 30 chapters of the book. These include where ships are built, the cost economics of shipping, the affect of geography, China's impact on shipping, shipping and the environment, the challenges facing the industry and the future of shipping. An underlying thesis of the book is that the extraordinary cost efficiency of shipping is a prime catalyst in the postwar explosion of trade and that in addition to economic benefits has resulted in lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and make the world a more peaceful safer place.