The Republic Merchant Fleet, also known as the Merchant Navy or simply as “RMF” was a fleet of civilian-owned merchant ships operated by either the Republic government or the private sector. It engaged in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable space of the Galactic Republic. Some critics claimed that the Republic Merchant Fleet was a paramilitary organization, but officially, the Republic Merchant Fleet was not part of the Republic Armed Forces.