Ever since time immemorial, human civilisations have been utilising waterways across the globe as crucial routes for trade. Both natural and man-made waterways provide excellent ways for humans to trade, hunt, invade and transport people across great distances. Without this essential route of transportation, human civilisation and culture would not have developed in the way that it has. Here we’ve provided a brief guide on the history of maritime trade.
Trade-in The Ancient World
One of the common factors between all of the earliest civilisations across the world – in particular, the Mesopotamian, Ancient Egyptian and Huang civilisations – is that they were all built around significant rivers. Rivers are the lifeblood of human habitation and this, in part, is due to their facilitation of trade.
Rivers allowed us to communicate and trade with other settlements, however, it was the first seafaring ships of the Austronesians that began the tradition of maritime trade. After pioneering this form of travel, these civilisations traded with China and the Middle East which set up the first international trade routes in the ancient world.
The Expansion of Trade During The Age of Discovery
During the 15th and 17th centuries, European super-powers went through an expansive period of adventure and exploration in which nations like Britain, Portugal, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and others ‘discovered’ new worlds.
These new worlds created rich new trade routes which would totally transform the economies of European countries and turned the continent into the world’s most successful trade hub.
Modern Day Trade
Modern-day maritime trade is fuelled by developments in technology like hydraulics. By creating ships bigger, faster and more durable than before, trading across the world has become more efficient and allows nations to trade with each other in far larger quantities. Hydraulics play a crucial role in this technological development and has meant that far more complex vehicles can be developed.
HP Hydraulics Have Over 30 Years of Experience Creating and Repairing Hydraulic Systems
For the past three decades, HP Hydraulics has been providing expert hydraulic creation and repair services for organisations in a number of different industries. If you work in the marine industry and require hydraulic services, look no further than HP Hydraulics.
To find out more, contact us today. You can find us at Unit 2, Davis Way, Newgate Lane Industrial Estate, Fareham, Hants, PO14 1JF, call us on 01329 828 877 or 07802 774 205 and email us at nigel@hphydraulics.uk.net.