Buying a ship is just the first step in becoming involved in the maritime industry. Post-purchase, the actual day-to-day operations take an immense amount of organisation and coordination, with activities that range from finding the cargo to be carried and financial demands, to organising a repair and maintenance schedule and completing contracts. Owning and operating a ship involves many specialists, such as lawyers, accountants, brokers and insurers, all of whom will specialise in maritime business, and who collectively make the operational side of a ship a success.

This section will explain the different sectors involved in owning and operating a ship, from the financial to the operational and everything in between.