[OANNES Foro] UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2012 launched

[Juan Carlos Leon Siles]

The latest issue of UNCTAD’s annual Review of Maritime Transport is on-line today: www.unctad.org/rmt2012<http://www.unctad.org/rmt2012>

As highlighted by the Secretary General of UNCTAD in his foreword, “[m]aritime transport is the backbone of international trade and a key engine driving globalization. Around 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent by value is carried by sea and is handled by ports worldwide; these shares are even higher in the case of most developing countries.”

“In common with previous issues, the 2012 Review contains critical analysis and a wealth of unique data, including long-term data series on seaborne trade, fleet capacity, shipping services and port handling activities. This year’s Review notes that world seaborne trade crew by 4 per cent in 2011, whereas the tonnage of the world fleet grew at a greater rate, by almost 10 per cent, as shipowners took delivery of vessels that had been ordered before the economic crisis began. With supply outstripping demand, freight rates fell even further, to unprofitable levels for most shipping companies. For importers and exporters, however, the low freight rates helped to reduce the transaction costs, which is important for helping to revive global trade.”

“As freight traffic continues to grow, the question of how to ensure the long-term sustainability of such growth is playing an increasingly important part in the policy debate on globalization, trade and development, environmental sustainability, energy security and climate change. Reflecting these new realities, this year’s Review of Maritime Transport addresses a range of relevant issues in this context and includes a special chapter on sustainable freight transport.”

With best regards

The team of the Trade Logistics Branch

PS. Why not collect your very own printed hard copy of the 176 page book for free at our meeting next week (12/12/12) in Geneva on Assessing Port Performance (http://unctad.org/en/Pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=175) - email florence.hudry en unctad.org<mailto:florence.hudry en unctad.org> for registration details.

Trade Logistics Branch
Division on Technology and Logistics
UNCTAD, Geneva

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