# Do "Tramp" Steamships Still Operate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 4, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-tramp-steamships-still-operate/636695 "2012-10-04T14:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-tramp-steamships-still-operate/636695/1 "2012-10-04T14:32:42Z")
In today’s world of 500,000 ton containerships, it would seem that the pre-WWII “tramp” steamer wold be an anachronism. A “tramp” was a small cargo ship that had no fixed schedule-it would call at various ports, take on cargo, and head to the next port. They were a popular item in fiction-a stranded American in China cold always get home by signing on as a crew member. (Richard Halliburton traveled the world this way). Do such ships still exist? Can you book passage on them? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-tramp-steamships-still-operate/636695/2 "2012-10-04T14:38:52Z")
Wikipedia claims they still exist: > [@](#): > > Due to the explosion of liner services, and in large part, due to containerization in the early 1950’s, the tramp trade has decreased, but is by no means forgotten. A contemporary trend in the shipping business called marketing mix has resulted in renewed interest in tramp shipping.[5] To increase profits, liner companies are looking at investing into tramp ships to create a buffer when the market is down. For example, Mitsui OSK Lines possesses a large fleet with tramp ships and liners. With both types of shipping covered they are able to service a world economy even in a down market.[5] The beauty of tramp ships is they are relied upon at a moment’s notice to service any type of market. Even in a down economy there will be a market for some type of commodity somewhere and the company with the ships able to exploit that market will do better than the company relying on liner services alone. > **[Tramp trade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramp_trade)** > > A boat or ship engaged in the tramp trade is one which does not have a fixed schedule, itinerary nor published ports of call, and trades on the spot market as opposed to freight liners. A steamship engaged in the tramp trade is sometimes called a tramp steamer; similar terms, such as tramp freighter and tramper, are also used. Chartering is done chiefly on London, New York, and Singapore shipbroking exchanges. The Baltic Exchange serves as a type of stock market index for the trade. > The term t... I have no idea if you can still negotiate cheap passage on one. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-tramp-steamships-still-operate/636695/3 "2012-10-04T14:40:58Z")
Good Lord, evidently you can: > **[Maris Freighter Cruise and Travel Club -- Around the World Cargo Cruises](https://www.freightercruises.com/)** > > Cruise the world on freighters, from coastal and island specialties to one way ocean crossings and around the world cruises.