This document defines and describes different types of merchant vessels, including dry cargo ships, bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, coasters, and passenger ships. Dry cargo ships transport general cargo between ports. Bulk carriers carry bulk materials like ores and grains in large hatches. Container ships carry standardized shipping containers. Tankers transport liquids like oil and gas in their tanks. Coasters are shallow-hulled ships for coastal trade. Passenger ships primarily carry passengers rather than cargo.