The unmeasurable vastness of the Lost Souls' Ocean cannot be stated clearly enough. Mankind are ill-equipped strangers in this realm, making forays from the coast like frightned mice from their holes.
Apart from the dangers of storms and reefs, the ocean is the habitat of foul creatures, many of which are the spawn of Chaos. There are orcs and seawyrms, either of which seem to delight in sinking ships and eating sailors and there are kraken, who reach out with huge tentacles to snatch men from the deck.
Those who brave the perils of the ocean are richly rewarded, though.
The northern reaches of the Shattered Coast have the greatest fishing shoals of all the known world, and all along the rim of the Lost Souls' Ocean, fishing provides for many.
Just like the Mare Interior connects the Frankish countries, the Lost Souls' Ocean carries commerce between the countries of the Shattered Coast, and beyond. From the Naamlands come fish, whaleoil, ambegris, furs, feathers and ivory. Carrancoch sells leather, beef and wool. Dorannia exports tin, coal, beer and lumber, as well as metal goods from Daverûghaimar. Avation's greatest export is copper and ships. Senion has glassware and Pacar foodstuffs. Algica gold and honey, Logesia silver, copper, opals and wine, Decria iron, steel and olive oil. All of the Confederation exports grain, salt, wizardglass and various items crafted by sorcery. Clemencia exports wine, olive oil, animal products, gunpowder and gemstones. From Haram comes silk, cotton, hemp, spices, perfume, salt and grain. Haram is also the gateway to more the more distant realms of Azanay and Zanzibar, so from the south come more spices, fine wood, ivory, exotic animals, fur, ostrich feathers, gemstones, pearls, silk, tea, porcelain and various other luxuries.
The great wealth coming through Haram has lead some to speculate that it may be possible to cross the ocean by a more northernly route, thus bypassing Atrahasite intermediates and gaining direct access to the markets of Azanay. However, no such ventures have thus far met with success, and through failures, it has grown nearly impossible to find crew for such expeditions.