Andros has a long shipping tradition. For ages, the islanders have a relationship with the sea as fishermen, merchants, shipbuilders, and sailors; and the island has some wealthy ship owner families. Since ancient times ships were produced on the island; fishing boats, sailing ships, and later steamships. Early 19th century, shipbuilding accelerated. At the beginning of the 20th century, many successful ship owners still lived in their mansions on the island. Later, many of them settled in cities like London and New York. Today, Greek ship owners have the largest fleet in the world, more than 17% of the total world fleet, especially tankers and bulk carriers. Of this, approximately 30% is owned by Andriotes.