UNCTAD has published the Review of Maritime Transport 2012- a review that has provided 44 years of uninterrupted coverage of the key developments affecting international seaborne trade, ports, shipping, the world fleet, freight markets, and transport-related regulatory and legal frameworks. UNCTAD’s Review also covers inland transport and intermodal connections.

In common with previous issues, the 2012 Review contains critical analysis and a wealth of unique data, including long-term data series on port handling activities.  Chapter 4 discusses port development, includes tables of port ranking, provides details on liner shipping connectivity via the ports of the world and a section on port development outlook in different sectors of port services.  This year’s Review notes that world seaborne trade grew by 4 per cent in 2011, whereas the tonnage of the world fleet grew at a greater rate, by almost 10 per cent. 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 transaction costs, which is important for helping to revive global trade.

You might download the review @ UNCTAD’s websit: Review of Maritime Transport 2012