The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has called for investment in maritime supply chains to make ports, maritime fleets and hinterland connections better prepared for future global crises, climate change and the transition to low-carbon energy.
In his report «Maritime Transport Examination 2022", released on Tuesday (29.11.2022), UNCTAD recalled that ships transport more than 80% of the goods traded in the world.
Total carbon emissions from the global maritime fleet increased by 4,7% between 2020 and 2021, a figure that "is going in the wrong direction," warned UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.
There is also concern about the ageing of ships, whose average age is currently almost 22 years, as "they pollute more as they age," he said.
UNCTAD is therefore calling on the sector to invest more in technical and operational improvements to reduce its carbon footprint.
The suggested paths include "transition to alternative fuels with low or zero carbon content, optimization of operations, supply of electrical power on land in ports and equipping ships with highly energy-efficient technology," the agency lists.
However, investments in new ships capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions could be hampered by "rising borrowing costs, worsening economic prospects and regulatory uncertainty," UNCTAD warns.
To better invest in the decarbonisation of maritime transport, the report calls for the implementation of a global regulatory framework that is predictable. Similarly, UNCTAD argues that, in the future, ports will be able to respond to the demands of less polluting ships, which will need clean energy and adapted maintenance services.
Moderate growth
For 2022, UNCTAD forecasts a Moderate growth in global maritime trade de 1,4%For the period 2023-2027, an average annual expansion of 2,1% is expected, a slower pace than the average of the previous three decades, 3,3%.
While maritime trade recovered in 2021, it now faces a complex operating environment fraught with risks and uncertainties in 2022. After a contraction of 3,8% in 2020, international maritime trade recovered in 2021 with growth of approximately 3,2%, reaching a total of 11.000 billion tonnes.
“Over the past two years, the maritime sector has been severely disrupted. Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, climate change and geopolitics have led to the closure of ports and shipping routes and increased prices,” says Rebeca Grynspan.
Promoting digitalization
In view of this, UNCTAD considers that one of the priority actions is to promote digitalisation since trade facilitation measures speed up customs clearance and the release of goods, especially during emergencies.
According to his perspective: “In many cases, it is possible to mitigate supply chain disruptions and logistical blockages through trade facilitation, especially in developing and least developed countries, and in particular through digitalization.” (Maritime Transport Examination 2022)
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