The Bloodstream of the Global Economy

Shipping is the bloodstream of the Global Economy and supports several important markets, maintaining its status through the law of supply and demand.



It has the ability to offer economic and efficient long-distance transport and facilitates the movement of raw materials, ready products, and other commodities. It represents the largest segment in transporting oil, oil products and gasses for maintaining energy efficiency across the globe. It also has the lowest environmental footprint in the transport segment on a per-ton basis.




With 90% of the word trade being seaborne, its key advantages include:


  • It is the most cost-efficient way to transport goods
  • Carries large amounts of goods of any kind (economies of scale)
  • It is a safe means of transport (lowest % losses caused by accident in a decade - Allianz)
  • It is Eco-Friendly in comparison with other means of transport (road, rail, air). Responsible for only 12% of pollution caused by human activities


As of 2019, the seaborne trade total value of the annual world shipping trade had reached more than 14 trillion USD. This is expected to grow to c. 17 trillion USD by 2030

Approximately 1 billion tons of goods are transported by ship each year. This represents an impressive 1.5 tons per person based on the current global population.

For the EU, shipping accounts for c. 80% of total exports and imports by volume, and c. 50% by value.


Source: International Chamber of Shipping - IHS Markit