Commercial and maritime operations categorize ships into nine principal vessel types based on their structural design and cargo application: Container Ships (for boxed freight), Bulk Carriers (for unpackaged dry materials), Tankers (for liquids and gas), General Cargo Ships (for break-bulk goods), Ro-Ro Ships (for wheeled vehicles), Passenger Ships and Cruise Liners, Fishing Vessels, Tugboats and Towboats, and Specialized Offshore Support Vessels used in energy exploration.