Cargo ships are divided into two classes – dry cargo and bulk.

Universal dry cargo vessels are designed for General cargo transportation. General cargo is cargo in packaging (in boxes, barrels, bags, etc.) or in separate places (machines, metal castings and rolled products, industrial equipment, etc.).

Universal vessels are not adapted for the carriage of any particular type of cargo, which does not allow the maximum use of the vessel. For this reason, are constructed and are widely used in the world shipping freight specialised vessels better used carrying capacity, and significantly reduced the time of berthing in the ports under the freight operations. They are divided into the following main types: bulk carriers, container ships, rollkers, lighters, refrigerated, passenger ships and tankers, etc. All specialized vessels have their own individual operational features, which requires special additional training from the crew to acquire certain skills for the safe transportation of cargo, as well as ensuring the safety of the crew and the vessel during the flight.

Refrigerated vessels (Reefers) are high speed vessels designed for the transport of perishable goods, mainly food, requiring the maintenance of a certain temperature regime in cargo holds. Cargo holds have thermal insulation, special equipment and hatches of small size, and to ensure the temperature is the refrigeration unit of the refrigerated engine room of the vessel.

Bulk carriers (Bulkers) are vessels that are adapted to a certain extent to the transportation of bulk dry cargo of any mass. Bulk carriers usually do not have a cargo device, and all cargo operations are carried out by port facilities, and cargo hold hatches make large sizes for complete mechanization.

Container Ships are high-speed vessels designed for transportation of various cargoes, pre-Packed in special large-capacity containers of standard types. Cargo holds are separated by special guides to the cells into which the containers are loaded, and part of the containers are placed on the upper deck. Container ships usually do not have a cargo device, and cargo operations are carried out at specially equipped berths – container terminals. Some types of vessels are equipped with a special self-unloading device.

The ro-ro "ro-Ro" (Rolker "Ro-Ro" ships) is the court with the horizontal method of loading, serve for the transport of loaded trailers (trailers), vehicles, containers and packages. The vessels have one large hold and several decks. Cargo operations are carried out at the berth with the help of forklifts and platforms with tractors through the stern or bow lapels (gates) of the vessel on special bridges, ramps, and move the cargo from the deck to the deck on the internal ramps (device for entry/exit of equipment) or with the help of special lift lifts.