The maritime industry differs in many ways from onshore sectors of industry. It was the first truly global enterprise, crossing national boundaries as soon as nations were invented, and encircling the world for the last 500 years. It was the first industry to create and develop many of the methods for the financial management of business risks that are now in widespread use, for instance shared ownership of ships, with profits allocated in proportion to the share owned, and insurance for ships and cargoes as a risk-sharing device. The complex of trade, financial services, logistics and subject expertise that is now a feature of all developed economies originated in port cities. At an early stage the shipping industry gained experience of both the opportunities and abuses that can stem from every aspect of this business complex. Shipping was closely linked with the state throughout the era of European expansion around the world, which was marked, for much of the time, by a British domination of international maritime trade, with the force projected by a powerful navy ready to support it. Skilled crewmembers were seen as common to naval, merchant and fishing activities and in times of war were forcibly impressed for service with the Navy, while merchant ships were taken up from trade in many wars to meet the logistic requirements of the military.