—-this post by guest—
When the first of twenty Triple-E ships is launched in 2014, Maersk Line will usher in a new chapter in international shipping, with not only the world’s largest ship once again sailing under its banner, but the world’s most environmentally-friendly, sustainably built ship too (http://www.worldslargestship.com/).
Certainly, as the world’s largest, most important shipping company, Maersk Line’s place in history is assured. But a brief overview of the history of international shipping between the west and China is important in understanding Maersk Line’s current and future role in trade between the continents.
China may have only risen to prominence as an economic superpower in the last few decades, but their trade with Europe dates back as far as the early 16th century, when China requested the payment of tributes – recognition of China’s superiority – in order for other states to trade with them. European traders acquiesced to this, seeing it as a necessary step to acquiring profitable trade along what came to be known as the ‘Silk Road’.
Trade was made between Europe and China along the Silk Road through many of its branches to the north. However, the developing sea trade between Europe and southern branches of China in the 17th and 18th centuries aroused suspicions in the Chinese government that westerners would corrupt Chinese citizens and potentially even attempt to conquer China.
Because of this, in 1760 the Chinese government set up regulations to control international shipping. Trade was eventually conducted through a system called the co-hong, in which thirteen Hong merchants were established to act as a go-between with foreign traders and the Chinese government.
Up until 1783, America had been forbidden from trading with China due to laws imposed by Great Britain which decreed that only ships sailing under the East India Company could trade with the Chinese.
However, following the War of Independence, America’s first trading ship Empress of China set sail, arriving in China in 1784 and ushering in a new era of global free trade as well as an end to the East India Company’s dominance in international shipping.
Fast forward to the 20th century, and following innumerable technological developments, The People’s Republic of China recognised a need to modernise their economy. From 1978 onwards, they set out to decentralise and expand foreign trade institutions.
In the same decade, Maersk Line – recognising a growth in international trade – ordered nine fast container vessels to carry trade between the USA and The Far East. In 1980 a further nine container vessels were delivered from the Odinese Steel Shipyard to meet the demands of trade between Europe and Asia.
In the decades since, China have continued their expansion, which has been largely reliant on fast, economical container vessels which Maersk Line has led the way in providing.
As the leader in its field in the fast-changing world of international shipping, the company look to continue figuring largely in the history of trade. The launch of Maersk’s record-breaking Triple-E ships in the coming years is only the next chapter.
