"From its modest origins as Egyptian coastal sailships around 3,200 BC, maritime transportation has always been the dominant support of global trade. By 1,200 BC Egyptian ships traded as far as Sumatra, representing one of the longest maritime route of that time. European colonial powers, mainly Spain, Portugal, England, the Netherland and France would be the first to establish a true global maritime trade network. With the development of the steam engine in the mid 19th century, this role expanded considerably." (Quoted from article)