Marine ropes can be categorized by their manufacturing process into: three-strand, six-strand, eight-strand, twelve-strand, and double-braided multi-strand. Generally, eight-strand and twelve-strand ropes are commonly used on cargo ships.

Marine ropes can be categorized by their material composition, including polypropylene filaments, polyester multifilaments, polyester/polypropylene blended multifilaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, nylon multifilaments, aramid fibers, and nylon coarse single yarn ropes. Generally, the most commonly used ropes on cargo ships are polypropylene filaments or polyester multifilament ropes; container ships use nylon coarse single yarn six-strand ropes and double-braided ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber ropes; chemical or oil tankers use antistatic eight-strand or twelve-strand ropes.