Specially designed, fully cellular container ships carry containers stacked sometimes nine deep in the holds and four or five high on deck hatches. Heavy-lift ships can transport huge sections of process equipment around the world. Specialized offshore supply boats supply offshore oil rigs. For delivering cargoes to inland ports, the LASH system enables a number of barges to be carried in what amounts to a traveling floating dock. The LASH ship submerges to take on or discharge its cargo of barges.
Cable ships lay and repair transoceanic cables.
Icebreakers with extra-strong hulls open lanes for other ships through frozen waters. By international law, any ship with space for more than 12 passengers is a passenger ship . Cruise ships provide a lucrative industry in the United States. Such cruise ships resemble floating hotels with luxurious amenities. Fishing vessels include small craft, such as trawlers and purse seiners, factory ships aboard which the catch is processed, and whaling ships.