Over 30 years has passed since the first edition of this book was published. Today it is regarded as the standard work in the shipping industry and is retailing in over 200 countries. It is used extensively by shipping executives and students globally. Opportunity has been taken to update not only the contents of the book but also to introduce three new chapters. In so doing the text now takes full account of new disciplines in the industry both currently being developed and those projected to unfold as we enter the next millennium. Accordingly the seventh edition focuses attention on the growing complexity of the industry in an era of great change and opportunity and above all on the need to conduct business on a professional basis. The latest edition features enlarged chapters on containerization, ship types, bills of lading, the international consignment, chartering, international organizations BIMCO and GATT/WTO, plus three new chapters on multi-modalism, seaports and electronic data interchange (computer technology). Additional illustrations have been provided on containerization, chartering documentation, ship types, cargo handling equipment and logistics.