Seehandel

Seehandel is a German term meaning sea trade, referring to commerce conducted by sea as opposed to inland or overland routes. The word is used in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian historical and economic contexts to distinguish maritime commerce from landbased exchange. In English, sea trade or maritime trade conveys the same sense.

Historically, Seehandel has been central to European economic development. In medieval and early modern Europe, maritime networks connected North Sea and Baltic ports with Mediterranean and Atlantic markets. The Hanseatic League exemplified organized Seehandel in northern Europe, coordinating shipping, warehousing, and commercial law. From the 15th century onward, the expansion of sea routes during the Age of Exploration and the growth of colonial empires dramatically increased the scale of Seehandel, bringing spices, textiles, precious metals, and colonial goods to Europe.

Instruments and practices supported Seehandel, including ships and navigation, marine insurance, and credit arrangements such as bills of exchange. The emergence of joint-stock companies and chartered ventures facilitated long-distance trade and risk sharing. Port cities evolved as hubs of exchange, finance, shipbuilding, and logistics, while states often promoted maritime power through navigation acts and subsidies.

In modern usage, Seehandel remains a generic term for maritime trade and is often contrasted with inland trade. While largely historical in some contexts, maritime transport continues to underpin global commerce, with shipping, containerization, and port logistics forming the backbone of Seehandel today.