Revealing the workings and dangers of freight shipping, the author sails from Rotterdam to Suez to Singapore to present an eye-opening glimpse into an overlooked world filled with suspect practices, dubious operators, and pirates.

At sea -- Rotterdam-Le Havre -- A ditch in a desert -- Normal people with guns -- Veiled faces in water -- The merchant navy comforts service -- The bride in the boat -- Calves can swim -- So remorseless a havoc -- Ashore.