Container shipping is not the same as conventional shipping. This kind of shipping uses containers of different sizes to transport goods from one place to another. Almost 80 percent of global merchandise trade is carried by sea with container shipping contributing the largest share to seaborne trade. The Global Container Fleet market was affected by the global economic crisis in 2009, creating a supply-demand imbalance and lower freight rates. The market has since recovered and is performing better compared to other segments of the Shipping industry.