The international shipping industry can be divided into four closely related shipping markets, each trading in a different commodity: the freight market, the sale and purchase market, the new building market and the demolition market. These four markets are linked by cash flow and push the market traders in the direction they want.

The sale and purchase market
In the sale and purchase market, second-hand ships are traded between ship-owners. The administrative procedures used are roughly the same as in the real-estate business, using a standard contract.

The new building market
The new building market deals with transactions between ship-owners and shipbuilders. Contract negotiation can be very complex and extend beyond price.