A cargo ship or freighter is a merchant ship that carries cargo,
goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo
carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year, handling the bulk
of international trade. Cargo ships are usually specially designed for
the task, often being equipped with cranes and other mechanisms to
load and unload, and come in all sizes. Today, they are almost always
built by welded steel, and with some exceptions generally have a life
expectancy of 25 to 30 years before being scrapped.[better source
needed]The words cargo and freight have become interchangeable in
casual usage. Technically, "cargo" refers to the goods carried aboard
the ship for hire, while "freight" refers to the compensation the ship
or charterer receives for carrying the cargo.[citation needed]The
words cargo and freight have become interchangeable in casual usage.
Technically, "cargo" refers to the goods carried aboard the ship for
hire, while "freight" refers to the compensation the ship or charterer
receives for carrying the cargo.[citation needed]Generally, the modern
ocean shipping business is divided into two classes:Larger cargo ships
are generally operated by shipping lines: companies that specialize in
the handling of cargo in general. Smaller vessels, such as coasters,
are often owned by their operators. Cargo ship Top Movies & Young Movies