Masters of the Sea – The Role of Ships in Global History

From ancient galleys and the caravels of great explorers to today's colossal container ships, seafaring has always embodied our thirst for adventure, a pioneering spirit, and technical progress. Courageous seafarers such as Columbus, Vespucci, da Gama and Magellan explored new sea routes, reshaped our understanding of the world and paved the way for global trade. Steamships marked a technical revolution. Powered by coal and steam, they are no longer at the mercy of the wind. Sea travel became faster, more reliable, and more efficient. Merchant fleets and shipping companies networked the world, while passenger steamers became a symbol of luxury and progress. Intercontinental connections enable economic expansion and shape our everyday lives: Today, 80 percent of world trade is conducted by sea. Giant container ships, oil tankers, and fishing fleets dominate the oceans, forming the backbone of the global economy.