Merchant navy is a term used to describe the commercial fleet of ships that operate in international waters. This fleet serves the purpose of transporting goods, cargo and people across the globe. There are many synonyms for the term "merchant navy" depending on the context in which it is used. Some common synonyms for this term include merchant marine, commercial shipping industry or freight shipping. These terms are often used interchangeably and describe the same industry. Regardless of the term used, the merchant navy plays a crucial role in the global economy by facilitating international trade and commerce.