On behalf of the European shipping industry, ECSA fully supports the resolution passed on 25 November in the European Parliament on the current crisis faced by the WTO.
The global shipping industry is responsible for the carriage of about 90% of world trade, and 76% of the EU's trade is transported by sea. Any disruption to the functioning of the WTO will lead to dire consequences for Europe's and global trade and economy.
The European shipping industry expressed its concerns earlier this year on the breakdown of the multilateral trading system, when trade barriers are becoming more prevalent and represent a worrying trend for the delivery of sustainable economic growth. ECSA published its position paper on the issue to highlight the need for the WTO to be strengthened in order to safeguard a global level playing field.