What was the main purpose of the navigation acts of the 1660s?

The main purpose of the Navigation Acts of the 1660s was to regulate colonial trade and ensure that it benefited England economically. These laws required that certain goods be shipped exclusively on English ships and primarily to England or its colonies, thereby strengthening England's maritime power and increasing revenue through tariffs and taxes. The acts aimed to control colonial commerce and restrict economic competition from other nations, reinforcing mercantilist policies.