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Inside the megaship: on board one of the world's biggest container ships

What is it like to sail on one of the giants of global trade? Artist and researcher Zoe Childerley journeyed aboard HMM Southampton to find out

From sailing ships to steam power: how the Industrial Revolution changed life at sea forever

The shift from wind to fossil fuels was far from smooth. As shipping tries to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, can we learn from fuel transitions of the past?

The unexpected history of the shipping container

They carry everything from apples to iPhones – but how did a simple metal box have such a profound impact on the way we live, work and shop?

The ice trade: a cold business

In this blog we explore how our ancestors obtained ice in an age before widespread domestic refrigeration.

How does the UK respond to a maritime emergency?

If a ship runs into trouble in UK territorial waters, an individual known as ‘SOSREP’ is often one of the first to be notified. Who are they, and how do they help prevent disaster at sea?

Sea Empress oil spill – 30 years on

Explore the legacy of the Sea Empress oil spill, and meet the people working to prevent disaster at sea today

Remembering the Sea Empress oil spill

Cliff Benson reflects on how efforts to save oiled sea birds inspired a lifetime's dedication to wildlife protection

Life on board a container ship – in pictures

Artist Zoe Childerley is embarking on a project with the National Maritime Museum to bring experiences of modern seafarers to light. How did she find her first voyage on board a container ship?

Thames barges and London docks – an oral history

Gordon 'Willie' Williamson worked aboard Thames barges throughout the 1960s, and witnessed the final years of central London as a busy cargo hub