The Review of Maritime Transport is an UNCTAD flagship publication published annually since 1968. Around 80 per cent of the volume of international trade in goods is carried by sea and the percentage is even higher for most developing countries. The Review of Maritime Transport provides an analysis of structural and cyclical changes affecting seaborne trade ports and shipping as well as an extensive collection of statistical information. The report calls for a “just and equitable transition” to a decarbonized shipping industry. The sector whose greenhouse gas emissions have risen 20% over the last decade operates an ageing fleet that runs almost exclusively on fossil fuels. As global leaders prepare for the next UN climate conference (COP28) UNCTAD advocates for system-wide collaboration swift regulatory intervention and stronger investments in green technologies and fleets. Full decarbonization by 2050 will require massive investments and could lead to higher maritime logistics costs raising concerns for vulnerable shipping-reliant nations like small island developing states. The report emphasizes the need to balance environmental goals with economic needs but underscores that the cost of inaction far outweighs the required investments. The report recommends policy actions to overcome supply chain hurdles African countries face including poor logistics low levels of technology fragmented markets limited capital sources and weak institutions and regulations. Beyond cleaner fuels the industry needs to move faster towards digital solutions like AI and blockchain to improve efficiency as well as sustainability. In its analysis of global maritime trends the report highlights shipping’s resilience despite major challenges stemming from global crises such as the war in Ukraine. Maritime trade is expected to grow 2.4% in 2023 and more than 3% between 2024 and 2028.

The Review of Maritime Transport 2021 provides an in-depth analysis and update on developments in seaborne trade the maritime industry and markets key performance indicators and the legal and regulatory environment. The 2021 issue includes a new chapter on maritime trade facilitation issues counting on a number of novel data sets that help analyze the performance of seaports in terms of productivity and connectivity as well as the world fleet in terms of emissions. The 2021 issue also provides a thorough review of the impact and implications that the COVID-19 pandemic has on ports and the maritime businesses and how the industry has responded. It includes a stand-alone chapter assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on seafarers and difficulties to arrange for crew changes.

This report provides a concise update of key data relating to the maritime transport sector spanning demand and supply performance as well as transversal issues ranging from regulatory and legal developments affecting maritime transport and technological developments/innovation with the theme being “Sustainable Shipping”. Around 80 per cent of the volume of international trade in goods is carried by sea and the percentage is even higher for most developing countries. The Review provides an analysis of structural and cyclical changes affecting seaborne trade ports and shipping as well as an extensive collection of statistical information.

With over 80 per cent of global trade by volume and more than 70 per cent of its value being carried on board ships and handled by seaports worldwide the importance of maritime transport for trade and development cannot be overemphasized. The 2017 Review of Maritime Transport presents and discusses key developments in the world economy and international trade and related impacts on shipping demand and supply freight and charter markets as well as seaports and the regulatory and legal framework. In addition to relevant developments in 2016 and the first half of 2017 this year’s edition of the Review also features a special chapter on maritime transport connectivity reflecting the prominence of physical and electronic connectivity as a priority area in the trade and development policy agenda.

As in previous issues since 1968 the 2013 Review of Maritime Transport contains a wealth of analysis and unique data. The Review is the renowned United Nations source of statistics and analysis on seaborne trade the world fleet freight costs port traffic and the latest trends in the legal and regulatory environment for international maritime transport. This year’s Review includes the 10 year time series of unique data on liner shipping connectivity. Underlining recent research that suggests that containerization had a stronger impact on driving globalization than trade liberalization the Review discusses global developments in containership deployment and then looks at trends liner shipping connectivity in Latin America Africa and Asia.

The 2007 review identifies the main developments in world maritime transport and provides relevant statistical data. It focuses on developments concerning maritime activities in developing countries as compared with other groups of countries. It highlights the correlation between the development of global trade and maritime transport activities in general with particular attention given to regional developments in Asia.

The Review of Maritime Transport an annual publication provides comprehensive and up-to-date statistics and information on maritime and ancillary services. The Review focuses on developments concerning maritime activities in developing countries as compared with other groups of countries. In the 2005 edition particular attention is given to regional developments in Latin America.