A tanker approaching New York      Photograph: Teekay Corporation

It is important to know where places are, as well as being able to identify the oceans, major seas and other water bodies because ships pass through these as they move from one port to another. This year, we concentrate on the location of these, but during the three years that you will be studying Maritime Economics, you will discover other aspects that make each ocean, sea, gulf or bay important in global or regional shipping.

Some facts about the oceans:

• About 72 percent of the earth’s surface is water.
• Largest ocean : Pacific Ocean
• Deepest place in the ocean : Marianas Trench (11022 metres below sea level). It lies in the Pacific Ocean to the east of the Philippine Islands. (Compare this to the highest mountain – Mount Everest 8848 metres above sea level.)
• The oceans and seas are sources of food, they play a large role in the climate of regions, and the obviously provide a medium for transport.