The Maritime Revolution expanded interregional commercial contact, long-distance commerce took place over sea routes rather than land routes increasingly from 1000 to 1300. Various technological advances and commercial changes helped make sea routes safer and more lucrative.
Chinese sailors began using the magnetic needle compass to help the navigate during cloudy weather and on open seas. Prior to the compass, geographical position and direction at sea were primarily determined by the position of celestial bodies. The compass was used in Song Dynasty for maritime navigation by 1111 to 1117. The use of the compass soon developed through Southeast Asia and India.
Commercial cities flourish as a result of long-distance maritime trade, one of the important places that served as prime centers of maritime commerce was the Anchor Of Quanzhou. Sailors leaving Quanzhou and arriving there used large flat-bottomed ships called junks. The junk ship was used during the Middle Ages, it was popularized by the Chinese and it was adjustable and ingenious. This ships were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean trips. They were found principally in China by the great trading Dynasty of the Song. This ships were large enough to carry as many as 500 sailors.
In early modern India and Arabia the latin-rig ship known as the dhow , was used on the waters of the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. Seasonal winds known as monsoons were so steady and predictable that navigation using dhows, was less difficult and dangerous in early times than somewhere else. Dhows were used to carry heavy items such as fruit, fresh water, and other heavy merchandise.