According to an annual publication prepared by the Division on Technology and Logistics - UNCTAD secretariat - the Review of Maritime Transport, there have been signs of growth in seaborne cargo trade in 2010, but it still remains to be slow and uncertain.
The report said the volume of seaborne trade in 2009 declined by 4.5% from 2008. Tonnage of the merchant fleet in the past year continued to grow, by an impressive 7% (1,276dwt), thanks to orders for construction, placed before the economic crisis. The total tonnage of new ships acquired by shipping companies increased by 42%.
The decline in traffic volume and increasing tonnage has led to stagnation of tariffs on many types of cargo, UNCTAD experts said.
The report said the volume of seaborne trade in 2009 declined by 4.5% from 2008. Tonnage of the merchant fleet in the past year continued to grow, by an impressive 7% (1,276dwt), thanks to orders for construction, placed before the economic crisis. The total tonnage of new ships acquired by shipping companies increased by 42%.
The decline in traffic volume and increasing tonnage has led to stagnation of tariffs on many types of cargo, UNCTAD experts said.