Container ships are mainly based on scheduled liner voyages. They can vary in size from small ships carrying 200 teu's (i.e. 20' containers) up to very large ships able to load in excess of 10,000 teu's. Cabin views fore and aft can be restricted due to container stacking. 

Bulk carriers are employed to move large and bulky cargoes around the world. They move such items as grain, coal, iron ore etc. Some are on long term charter and thus on set routes. Others are engaged in the "tramping" trades chasing cargo inducements. The latter often travel to "off the beaten track" ports. 

Refrigeration ships carry chilled or frozen freight such as fruit and meat. Their numbers have diminished over the past 30 years due to the advent of the refrigerated container. Reefers are still common on the Banana trades.

Roll On-Roll Off ships are similar to car ferries in that they have large stern doors for loading and discharging of cargo. Cargo can be palletised, in containers or loose. They tend to have a high freeboard as the bulk of the cargo is carried inside the ship. They normally sail on set routes.

The combo's incorporate multi cargo handing facilities. They can have RoRo capabilities as well as carry containers on deck. They may also have conventional deck cranes as well as holds. They usually operate on liner services. Some of the ports visited have limited cargo handling facilities hence their versatility.