Introduction L. R. Fischer and the progress of Maritime Economic History; D.Williams & L.Scholl Shipping and Staple Economies in the Periphery; C.K.Harley The Progress of the Steamship in the 19th Century; D.M.Williams & J.Armstrong The Advantages of Water Carriage; Y.Kaukianen Building the Vital Networks of Trade; E.Lange , E.Ekperg & E.Merok The Development of Commercial Infrastructures for World Shipping; G.Boyce Government and British Shipping in the Later 20th Century; S.Palmer Historical Evolution of the Ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam; S.Vanfraechem Institutional Path-dependence and Port Regulation; M.Tull & J.Reveley China's Seaport Development 1978-2002; A.N.G.Koi Yu & T.Ka-chai Hull's Maritime Business Sector c. 1860-1914; M.Barnard & D.Starkey Risks and Rewards - the Business of Norwegian Shipping; S.Tenold Greek and Spanish Shipowners in the 19th and 20th Centuries; G.Harlaftis & J.M.Valdaliso Epilogue: A Key Industry or an Invisible Industry?; G.Harlaftis , S.Tenold & J.M.Valdaliso