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22 April 1999



World Trade Growth Slower In 1998 After Unusually Strong Growth In 1997

The rate of growth in the volume of world merchandise exports slowed to 3.5 per cent in 1998, from over 10 per cent in 1997, due largely to continuing economic contraction in much of Asia.

World output growth slipped to 2 per cent in 1998, compared to 3 per cent in 1997. Although trade growth still exceeded output growth in 1998, it was by a smaller margin than the average for the 1990s.

Export growth in 1999 is expected to match that of 1998, but for this projection to be realized, trade growth will have to accelerate during the course of 1999. This projection also assumes that slowing output growth in the United States and Western Europe will be offset somewhat by recovery in Asia. A faster than expected slowdown in the United States or Western Europe, or slower recovery in Asia, would clearly imply export volume growth below 3.5 per cent in 1999.

These are among the findings of the WTO's first report on trade developments last year and the outlook for this year (reproduced below). Other highlights include the following:

  • Trade contraction in Asia has been the biggest factor in the global trade slowdown: But there has been a marked slowdown in global export expansion throughout 1998, reflected in the performance of all major regions.

  • Trade performance measured in volume terms differed widely among regions in 1998, particularly on the import side: Imports into Asia fell by 8.5 per cent, stagnated or fell slightly in Africa and the Middle East, and expanded by 7.5 per cent in Western Europe and by some 10 per cent in North America, Latin America and the transition economies. Export volume growth was strongest in the transition economies and Latin America, at 10 per cent and 6.5 per cent


respectively, and increased marginally in Asia (1 per cent). Western Europe's export growth was slightly above the global average, at 4.5 per cent, and that of North America was below the average, at 3 per cent.

  • Exports of merchandise and commercial services amounted to US$6.5 trillion in 1998: In value terms, merchandise exports amounted to US$5.2 trillion and commercial services to US$1.3 trillion. This represents a fall of almost 2 per cent in dollar terms over exports in 1997, but still exceeds the level attained in 1996. This is the strongest decrease since 1982. Exports of commercial services recorded the first annual decline in value terms since comprehensive statistics became available in the mid-1980s.

  • Commodity prices fell sharply in 1998, pushing the share of primary products in world exports below 20 per cent in current price terms for the first time in the post-war period: Oil prices fell by 30 per cent in 1998, or 40 per cent from a year-end to year-end basis. This picture has been mitigated by increased oil prices in the first quarter of 1999. Non-oil primary commodity prices fell by 15 per cent on a yearly average basis in 1998, and by some 10 per cent on a year-end basis. Prices of internationally traded manufactured goods and services also declined in 1998, but by considerably less than those of primary products.

  • Reduced commodity prices have particularly affected the export earnings of African and Middle Eastern countries: In addition to the 11 member countries of OPEC, some eight other countries depend on fuel exports for more than 50 per cent of their export earnings. Over twenty, mostly developing countries, depend on agricultural exports for 35 per cent or more of their export earnings, but these countries are generally not as severely affected as the oil exporters by commodity price falls.

I. Main features of world trade in 1998

World GDP and trade growth slowed in 1998 as the Asian crisis deepened and its repercussions were felt increasingly outside Asia. The volume of world merchandise exports grew by 3.5 per cent in 1998 after an outstanding growth rate of 10.5 per cent in 1997. This export volume growth rate compares with an average growth rate of 6.0 per cent in the period 1990-95. The deceleration in global output growth was less pronounced than for international trade in 1998, as world GDP rose by 2 per cent, or by 1 percentage point less than in 1997 (Chart 1).



The deceleration of global merchandise trade growth continued throughout the year, leaving the global trade level in the fourth quarter of 1998 only slightly above the level reached at the end of 1997. All major regions experienced a marked slowdown of their trade growth in the course of 1998.

The recent cyclical fall in commodity prices, which started in early 1997, continued unabated throughout 1998. Oil prices fell by 30 per cent and non-oil commodity prices by 20 per cent in 1998, with very different implications for various countries and regions of the world. While the share of primary commodities (including processed food) in world merchandise trade was only slightly above one-fifth in 1997, it was more than two-thirds for the Middle East, Africa and Latin America (excluding Mexico). In a sample of 91 developing countries, 67 of them recorded a share of primary products in total merchandise exports above 50 per cent, reaching as high as 95 per cent in some cases.

Prices of internationally traded manufactured goods and services also have declined in 1998, though considerably less than those of primary products. Exchange rate variations, which were large in the course of 1998, can have a major impact on the dollar prices of internationally traded goods. However, as the dollar's average annual appreciation vis-à-vis the ECU (now the Euro) was considerably smaller in 1998 than in 1997, West European export prices measured in dollar terms decreased far less last year than in 1997. This smaller decrease in Europe's export prices more than offset the stronger price declines in all other regions. Therefore, despite the accelerated fall in commodity prices in 1998, the global price decline for all merchandise exports was 5.5 per cent, which was somewhat less pronounced than in 1997.

Trade performance in 1998 differed widely among regions. While oil-exporting regions recorded the strongest annual value declines in merchandise exports, countries directly affected by the Asian financial crisis reported the strongest import decline. The contractionary forces of the Asian crisis and falling commodity prices were, however, attenuated by the robustness of continued economic growth in the United States and strengthened demand in Western Europe. The reversal of private capital flows away from the emerging markets contributed to low interest rates in North America and Western Europe. In addition, falling fuel prices led to weaker import prices and real income gains for net-fuel importing countries.

Western Europe, the world's largest regional trader, was the only region not to record a deceleration in import growth in 1998 compared to 1997. Western Europe's import growth rate of 7.5 per cent was, however, less than the 10 per cent rate recorded by North America, Latin America and the transition economies. In a sharp contrast, imports into Asia fell by nearly 8.5 per cent, and a stagnation or a decrease in import volumes is estimated for Africa and the Middle East.

Regional differences in the volume growth of exports are far less pronounced than for imports. All regions recorded a lower export expansion in 1998 than in the preceding year. The transition economies and Latin America recorded the strongest volume growth. Asia's export volume increased marginally, as the strong contraction of intra-Asian trade was only just offset by a sharp rise in extra-regional flows. Western Europe's export growth remained somewhat above the global average of 3.5 per cent, while that of North America fell below the average.

The dollar value of world merchandise trade declined by 2 per cent, the strongest decrease since 1982. The export value of manufactured goods continued to rise slightly while that of agricultural products, metals and fuels declined. These divergent developments by product category in 1998 pushed the share of primary products below 20 per cent in current price terms for the first time in the post World War II period.

Exports of commercial services recorded the first annual decline in dollar value since 1983. All the three major services categories (i.e., transport, travel and other commercial services) saw a decrease. Exports of goods and commercial services both decreased slightly but at $5225 and $1290 billion respectively, but were still above the levels reached in 1996 (Table 1).

Table 1

World exports of merchandise and commercial services, 1996-98
(Billion dollars and percentage)

 Value Annual change
 1996 19971998 19961997 1998
Merchandise5150 53255225 4.53.5 -2.0
Commercial services1275 13201290 6.73.5 -2.0

II. World trade developments by country and region

In its seventh year of expansion, the United States economy experienced an acceleration in private consumption and continued double-digit investment growth. GDP growth was almost 4 per cent, unchanged from 1997. The booming U.S. economy stimulated intra-NAFTA trade, and sustained exports and output in other regions. North America's merchandise import volume rose by 10.5 per cent in 1998, which was the strongest growth of all regions (Table 2).

Table 2

Growth in the volume of world merchandise trade by selected region, 1990-98
(Annual percentage change)

Exports   Imports
Average
1990-95

1996

1997

1998
 Average
1990-95

1996

1997

1998
6.05.510.5 3.5World 6.56.09.5 4.0
7.06.011.0 3.0North Americaa 7.05.513.0 10.5
8.011.011.0 6.5Latin America12.0 8.522.09.5
5.55.59.5 4.5Western Europe4.5 5.57.57.5
5.55.59.5 5.0European Union (15) 4.55.07.0 7.5
5.06.512.5 10.0Transition economies 2.516.017.0 10.0
7.55.013.0 1.0Asia10.5 6.06.0-8.5
1.51.012.0 -1.5Japan6.5 5.51.5-5.5
11.57.511.5 2.0Six East Asian tradersb 12.04.56.5 -16.0

aCanada and the United States.
bChinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; the Republic of Korea; Singapore and Thailand.

Note: Separate volume data are not available for Africa and the Middle East, although estimates for these regions have been made in order to calculate the world total.

In value terms, North America's merchandise exports decreased slightly in 1998, as volume growth decelerated and prices declined. North America's merchandise imports, however, increased by 4.5 per cent in value terms, leading to a widening of the region's merchandise trade deficit to $253 billion (Table 3). The evolution in North America's commercial services trade mirrored that of merchandise trade, with exports increasing only very slightly and imports rising by 4.5 per cent, reducing further the region's surplus in services trade.

Latin America's GDP and trade growth slowed sharply in 1998 from the exceptionally high levels recorded in 1997. Falling commodity prices, a slowdown in private capital inflows in the second half of 1998 and weaker export markets within the region and in Asia contributed to this development. Marked differences in economic performance occurred for the two largest economies in the region, with trade and output growth slowing strongly in Brazil, while Mexico's trade and output performance remained well above the regional average. Better access to the rapidly expanding United States market and a higher share of manufactures in its merchandise exports are among the factors which explain why Mexico's trade and output developments were, for the fourth year in a row, superior to those of the other Latin American economies.

For Latin America as a whole, the growth in the volume of merchandise imports continued to exceed that of merchandise exports by a large margin, and the region's trade expansion - both imports and exports - remained stronger than the global average. Latin America's merchandise export value, on the other hand, decreased by 2 per cent in 1998, as the expansion of Mexico's exports was more than offset by the decline in exports of all other Latin American countries combined. In particular, Ecuador and Venezuela, the two major oil exporting countries in Latin America, experienced the strongest setback, with decreases in excess of 20 per cent. Latin America's outstandingly strong import growth performance throughout the 1990-97 period became less dynamic last year, although at 5 per cent, this region, together with Western Europe, recorded the highest import growth rate of any region. Mexico's import growth rate of 14 per cent contrasted with the relative stagnation of imports in other Latin American countries. As Mexico has enjoyed an above average rate of growth in trade for a number of years, its share of total trade in the region has risen considerably, accounting for 40 per cent in 1998. Latin America's exports and imports of commercial services are estimated to have expanded by 4 to 5 per cent in 1998.


Table 3

Growth in the value of world merchandise trade by region, 1990-98
(Billion dollars and percentage)

Exports (f.o.b.)  Imports (c.i.f.)
ValueAnnual percentage change  ValueAnnual percentage change
19981990-95 19961997 1998  19981990-95 19961997 1998
52257.5 4.53.5-2.0 World5410 7.55.03.0 -1.0
8988.56.5 9.5-1.0North America 11518.06.0 10.54.5
2749.012.5 10.0-2.0Latin America 33914.59.5 19.05.0
11814.020.5 15.06.5Mexico 12912.525.5 23.514.0
1577.08.0 7.0-7.0Other Latin America 21115.52.5 16.50.5
23386.03.5 -0.52.5Western Europe 23595.53.5 -1.55.0
21716.53.5 -0.53.0European Union (15) 21635.53.0 -2.05.5
1787.06.5 5.0-1.0Transition economies 2075.017.0 9.53.0
997.56.0 8.09.0Central/Eastern Europe 13311.517.0 7.011.5
1060.516.5 2.0-16.0Africa 1295.5-1.0 6.0-1.5
263.55.5 6.0-15.0South Africa 2910.5-1.5 9.5-11.0
1381.517.0 4.0-21.0Middle East 1395.57.0 6.5-6.0
129412.00.5 5.5-6.0Asia 109012.04.5 0.5-17.5
3889.0-7.5 2.5-8.0Japan 2817.54.0 -3.0-17.0
18419.01.5 21.00.5China 14020.05.0 2.5-1.5
50414.03.0 2.5-7.5Six East Asian tradersa 43815.03.0 0.5-25.0

aChinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; the Republic of Korea; Singapore and Thailand.

Stronger demand growth in Western Europe contrasted with a weaker global economy in 1998, leading to an import expansion which, for the first time since 1992, exceeded the region's export growth rate. Western Europe was the only major region which recorded an increase in the dollar value of its exports. Imports in value terms increased by 5 per cent, very close to the expansion recorded by both North America and Latin America. The share of Western Europe in world merchandise trade recovered to 44 per cent following a marked decrease between 1990 and 1997. Commercial services imports expanded by 4 per cent in 1998, and commercial services exports by 3 per cent.

The interaction between trade and output in the transition economies in recent years has been unique among the major regions. Sluggish overall economic activity, including a decline in regional output in recent years, has been accompanied by export and import growth rates above the global average. Merchandise imports have expanded significantly faster than world trade in both real and nominal dollar values. Merchandise export growth, at 10 per cent in volume terms, was the highest among all regions. Due to the sharp decline in the dollar export prices, however, the dollar export value of the region decreased slightly.

Several factors have contributed to this situation, where trade growth has been above the world average, while output growth has been lower than the world average. First, inflows of private capital have been strong, in particular foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio investment. Second, FDI has been associated with a strong increase in capital goods imports, which over recent years has supported the expansion of exports. Third, a number of East European countries advanced considerably with their integration into the EU market, in particular Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The strong trade performance of these countries masked a rather mixed picture in other transition economies.

The commercial services trade of the transition economies has been far less dynamic than merchandise trade in the last two years, with exports decreasing slightly and imports rising moderately. The Russian Federation, the region's largest commercial services trader, reported a decline in exports and imports of about 7 per cent in 1998. For Central and Eastern Europe, an increase of 4 per cent was recorded last year.

Africa and the Middle East have suffered the brunt of the decline in primary commodity prices in 1998. Despite a moderate recovery in Africa's GDP - linked to the recovery of agricultural output - Africa's trade remained sluggish. Export values in the region decreased by 16 per cent in 1998. Oil-exporting African countries recorded a decrease in exports exceeding one-quarter. Import values declined only slightly in 1998, but higher trade deficits raise the question whether the 1998 level of import demand can be sustained in 1999. Available data on commercial services also indicate decreases in the value of both exports and imports. As was observed for merchandise trade, exports of services decreased faster than imports.

Being the region with the highest share of fuels in its merchandise exports, the Middle East recorded the strongest contraction in export value of all regions. Exports for the region as a whole shrank by one-fifth. The decline in the dollar export value was, however, associated with an increase in the export volume. The increase in the supply of oil from the region in a period of weak demand has contributed to a steep erosion of oil prices. The region's merchandise imports adjusted to some degree to lower export revenues, falling by 6 per cent in 1998 (Table 4).

Asia recorded the strongest import contraction in volume and value terms of all regions. Import volume decreased by about 8.5 per cent under the impact of Japan's import contraction of 5.5 per cent, and that of the Asia (5) of more than 20 per cent. It is estimated that within Asia only a few countries recorded an increase in import volumes (e.g. Australia, China and India). As intra-Asian trade accounts for about one half of Asia's merchandise exports, the contraction of the area's imports also held down export growth. Asia's export volume rose marginally as the volume decrease for Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, China were more than offset by the strong growth of exports of the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. China's exports are also estimated to have expanded moderately in volume terms.

Table 4

Merchandise exports of emerging markets by product category, 1997
(Percentage shares)

 Fuels Metals and minerals Agricultural products ManufacturesTotal
Middle East73 24 21100
Africa44 819 29100
Latin Americaa19 1136 34100
Emerging Asiab5 210 83100
World9 211 78100

aExcluding Mexico.
bAsia, excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The dollar value of Asia's imports registered an unprecedented decline of 17.5 per cent. In 1998 Asia (5) imports contracted by one-third, and those of Japan by 17 per cent (Appendix Charts 1 and 2). Only certain South Asian countries recorded a slight increase in their imports (e.g. India and Sri Lanka). The trade performance of most Asian countries improved in the last quarter of 1998, partly due to the strengthening of the yen and other Asian currencies vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar.

The sharp import contraction in the Asia (5) countries (almost one-third in value terms) is largely explained by the turnaround in private capital flows and the associated drop in domestic investment and consumption levels. The decrease in exports of the Asia (5) countries, however, was stronger than expected even if one takes into account the high share of intra-regional trade in total trade. Despite the strong currency devaluations which boosted the price competitiveness of enterprises in the Asia (5) countries, the combined exports of these countries did not increase their market shares in the major developed markets. In fact, China's exports to the United States, Japan and major European markets expanded faster than those of the Asia (5) countries in 1998.

One of the striking features of world trade in 1998 was the exceptionally large variation in the growth rates among countries measured in value terms. Consequently, the ranking of the leading traders changed dramatically for both merchandise and commercial services trade (see Appendix Tables 1, 2 and 3). The reversal of capital flows in 1997-1998 forced many East Asian economies to cut back sharply on their imports in 1998. Import declines ranged from 26 to 35 per cent (e.g. the Republic of Korea 35 per cent, Thailand 33 per cent, Indonesia 34 per cent and Malaysia 26 per cent). Retained imports of Hong Kong, China and Singapore also contracted in this range, despite their current account surplus position and stronger internal demand.

Contractionary conditions in Japan and the fall in oil prices led to a fall of 17 per cent in the dollar value of imports, to a level below that of Germany, the United Kingdom and France. In general, Canada, Mexico and many West European countries improved their position among the leading importers (and exporters), while those of Asian countries and Russia deteriorated.

Fuel exporters generally recorded the strongest decline in merchandise export value among all countries. For a number of them, the dollar value of export earnings decreased by one-quarter to more than one-third in 1998 (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nigeria and Venezuela). Oil exporters and the East Asian traders lost, while Mexico and most West European countries gained in market share.

Last year, China's merchandise exports exceeded those of Hong Kong, China for the first time. The contraction of Russia's trade under the impact of the fall in fuel prices and the outbreak of the financial crisis have lowered Russia's (extra-CIS) exports to below those of Ireland and its imports to less than those of Poland.

Despite the decrease in the nominal value of world trade, a few countries continued to expand their exports by more than 15 per cent. This group comprises Ireland, the Philippines, Hungary and Costa Rica. Throughout the 1990-98 period these countries expanded their exports two times faster than the global average.

The United States consolidated its position as the world leading trader in 1998, accounting for nearly one-sixth of merchandise imports and services exports and one-eighth of merchandise exports and services imports.

East Asian countries' exports of commercial services decreased in 1998 significantly faster than their merchandise exports. One explanation for this development might be that intra-Asian trade is more important for services than for merchandise exports and thereby more affected by the contraction of Asian demand. However, the lack of statistical information on the destination of services exports precludes confirmation of this possibility.

Although price variations in commercial services are estimated to be far smaller than those for merchandise trade in 1998, the variations in the performance of individual services traders were at least as large as those for merchandise traders. Among the leading commercial services exporters, the strongest declines were recorded by Singapore and Malaysia, while India and Spain recorded increases in excess of 10 per cent. The Asia (5) countries recorded contractions in their services imports ranging from about 20 per cent to more than 30 per cent. India, Spain and Ireland recorded import increases between 10 and 20 per cent. Given the provisional nature of the above data and the past experience of substantial revisions even for year-old data, caution is called for in interpreting current services statistics.


III. Repercussions of the fall in commodity prices

In 1998, an increase in the supply of many primary commodities coincided with a slowdown in economic activity, leading to a sharp drop in commodity prices. Prices of non-fuel commodities and crude oil fell by 15 per cent and more than 30 per cent, respectively. Although prices of manufactures decreased as well, prices of primary commodities decreased much faster (for the second year in a row).

As the oil price decline accelerated during the course of the year, the year-over-year change in December 1998 exceeded 40 per cent. For non-fuel primary commodities, the period of weaker prices started earlier and moderated in the second half, with the result that the decline at the end of the year (about 10 per cent) was smaller than the annual average for 1998 (Chart 2). Oil exporters have yet to feel the full impact of lower spot oil prices on their export earnings. Investment and government expenditure is likely to be curtailed in 1999. Import levels will contract further, as such a steep price decline cannot be fully absorbed by a reduction in foreign exchange reserves.


As noted earlier, the steep fall in fuel prices affects in particular the export earnings of the Middle East and Africa. Besides the 11 member countries of OPEC, in about another eight countries fuel exports account for more than one half of export earnings. It is important to note that in the first quarter of 1999, the spot oil price recovered from its low level in December 1998 following the announcement of production cuts by oil producers. It remains to be seen whether this upward trend will continue or the present price gains will prove sustainable. While these trends will lead to downward adjustments in the imports of oil-exporting countries in 1999, related income gains in oil-importing countries will at least partially offset this contractionary tendency in world trade.

Exporters of agricultural products are a larger group than oil exporters. The decline in agricultural prices therefore affected a larger number of countries, but generally less dramatically than the oil exporters. This is for two reasons. First, the decline in agricultural product prices was less steep than for oil. Second, the exporters of agricultural products generally depend less on a single commodity than do the fuel exporters (Appendix Table 4).


IV. Global trade outlook for 1999

The slowdown of world trade and output growth had not been reversed by the end of 1998. While Japan's GDP continued to shrink in the fourth quarter of 1998 and many West European countries recorded a weakening in their economic performance, the U.S. economy accelerated.

Significantly slower GDP growth in Brazil in 1998 and contraction in Russia will negatively affect the growth of neighbouring economies with whom they have extensive trade ties. The sharp contraction of output and trade in the Asia (5) countries appears to have bottomed out, and a moderate recovery is the most likely scenario for 1999. As there is generally a time-lag between reduced export earnings and lower import levels, the steep fall of oil and commodity prices will have its full impact on investment and consumption in the commodity exporting countries only in 1999. The extent of this impact may be mitigated in the case of oil prices, however, should the recent increases in prices prove sustainable.

Global output growth may weaken slightly in 1999. Moderately weaker growth in the United States and Western Europe may not be offset by a lower rate of contraction in Japan. Given the size of the Russian and Brazilian economies in regional output, production levels in the transition economies and Latin America is likely at best remain unchanged from the preceding year.

On the basis of this sluggish output growth, overall trade expansion may not differ much in 1999 from the 3.5 per cent observed in 1998. Even this moderate expansion, however, is associated with major downside risks and would imply an acceleration of trade growth in the course of 1999. If slower output growth in the United States or Western Europe turns out to be more pronounced than presently expected, and if the recovery in East Asia (including Japan) is more delayed than projected by most observers, world trade expansion could be below 3.5 per cent. The United States is expected to record the highest growth rate among the industrial countries in 1999, but on the condition that U.S. consumers do not rapidly correct their historically low savings rate, and that any stock market correction will not have a major impact on investor and consumer confidence.



Appendix Table 1

Leading exporters and importers in world merchandise trade, 1998
(Billion dollars and percentage)

Rank EXPORTERSValue (f.o.b.) ShareChange RankIMPORTERS Value (c.i.f)Share Change
1United States683.0 12.7-1 1United States944.6 17.05
2Germany539.7 10.05 2Germany466.6 8.45
3Japan388.0 7.2-8 3United Kingdom316.1 5.73
4France307.0 5.76 4France287.2 5.27
5United Kingdom272.7 5.1-3 5Japan280.5 5.0-17
6Italy240.9 4.51 6Italy214.0 3.83
7Canada214.3 4.0-1 7Canada205.0 3.72
8Netherlands198.2 3.72 8Hong Kong, China188.7 3.4-12
9China183.8 3.41   retained importsa 38.90.7 -26
10Hong Kong, China174.1 3.2-7 9Netherlands184.1 3.34
  domestic exports 24.30.5 -1110Belgium-Luxembourg 158.82.9 2
            
11Belgium-Luxembourg 171.73.2 211China 140.22.5 -2
12Korea, Rep. of133.2 2.5-2 12Spain 132.8 2.48
13Mexico117.5 2.26 13Mexico128.9 2.314
14Chinese Taipei109.9 2.0 -9 14Chinese Taipei104.2 1.9-9
15Singapore109.8 2.0-12 15Singapore101.5 1.6-23
 domestic exports 63.31.2 -13  retained importsa 54.91.8 -31
16Spain109.0 2.05 16Korea, Rep. of93.3 1.7-35
17Sweden84.5 1.62 17Switzerland 80.0 1.45
18Switzerland78.7 1.53 18Austria68.3 1.25
19Malaysia73.3 1.4-7 19Sweden 67.6 1.23
20Ireland63.3 1.219 20Australia 64.7 1.2-2
            
21Austria61.7 1.15 21Brazil61.0 1.1-6
22Russian Fed.b 56.21.0 -1622Malaysia 58.51.1 -26
23Australia55.9 1.0-11 23Poland48.0 0.913
24Thailand53.6 1.0-7 24Turkey 46.4 0.8-4
25Brazil51.0 0.9-3 25Denmark45.8 0.83
26Indonesia48.8 0.9-9 26Russian Fed.b 44.70.8 -18
27Denmark47.0 0.9-4 27Ireland 43.7 0.811
28Finland42.4 0.84 28India42.9 0.84
29Norway39.6 0.7-18 29Thailand41.8 0.8-33
30Saudi Arabia38.8 0.7-35 30Norway36.2 0.71
 Total of abovec 4748.088.3-1  Total of abovec 4696.084.4-2
 Worldc 5375.0 100.0 -2  Worldc5560.0 100.0-1

aRetained imports are defined as imports less re-exports.
bData exclude trade with the Baltic States and the CIS. Including trade with these States would lift Russian exports and imports to $73.9 billion and $59.5 billion, respectively.
cIncludes significant re-exports or imports for re-export.



Appendix Table 2

Leading exporters and importers in world merchandise trade (excluding European Union intra-trade), 1998
(Billion dollars and percentage)

Rank EXPORTERS Value (f.o.b.) ShareChange Rank IMPORTERS Value (c.i.f)Share Change
1European Union (15) 813.820.30 1United States944.6 22.55
2United States683.0 17.0-12 European Union (15)801.4 19.16
3Japan388.0 9.7-83 Japan280.56.7 -17
4Canada214.3 5.3-14 Canada 205.04.9 2
5China183.8 4.615 Hong Kong, China188.74.5 -12
6Hong Kong, China174.1 4.3-7  retained importsa 38.90.9-26
  domestic exports 24.30.6 -116China 140.23.3-2
7Korea, Rep. of133.2 3.3-27 Mexico 128.93.1 14
8Mexico117.5 2.968 Chinese Taipei 104.22.5 -9
9Chinese Taipei109.9 2.7-99 Singapore101.52.4 -23
10Singapore109.8 2.7-12  retained importsa54.9 1.3-31
  domestic exports 63.31.6 -1310Korea, Rep. of 93.32.2-35
            
11Switzerland78.7 2.0311 Switzerland 80.01.9 5
12Malaysia73.3 1.8-712 Australia64.71.5 -2
13Russian Fed.b 56.21.4-16 13Brazil61.0 1.5-6
14Australia55.9 1.4-1114 Malaysia58.51.4 -26
15Thailand53.6 1.3-715 Poland 48.01.1 13
16Brazil 51.0 1.3-316 Turkey 46.41.1 -4
17Indonesia48.8 1.2-917 Russian Fed.b44.7 1.1-18
18Norway39.6 1.0-1818 India 42.91.0 4
19Saudi Arabia38.8 1.0-3519 Thailand41.81.0 -33
20India33.2 0.8-320 Norway 36.20.9 1
            
21Philippines 29.3 0.71721 Philippines32.00.8 -17
22Czech Rep. 26.4 0.71622 Argentina 31.40.7 3
23South Africa 26.3 0.7-1523 South Africa29.30.7 -11
24Poland 26.3 0.7224 Israel29.10.7 -5
25Turkey 26.1 0.7025 Czech Rep.c28.8 0.76
26Argentina25.2 0.6-126 Indonesia27.40.7 -34
27United Arab Emirates 24.20.6-16 27United Arab Emirates27.0 0.6-10
28Israel 23.3 0.6328 Hungary 25.80.6 22
29Hungary 22.9 0.62029 Saudi Arabia23.70.6 -13
30Venezuela17.2 0.4-2530 Chile18.80.4 -4
 Total of aboved 3704.092.2-4  Total of aboved 3786.090.1-4
 Worldd 4018.0100.0 -4 Worldd 4200.0100.0 -3

aRetained imports are defined as imports less re-exports.
bData exclude trade with the Baltic States and the CIS. Including trade with these States would lift Russian exports and imports to $73.9 billion and $59.5 billion, respectively.
cImports are valued f.o.b.
dIncludes significant re-exports or imports for re-export.



Appendix Table 3

Leading exporters and importers in world trade in commercial services, 1998
(Billion dollars and percentage)

RankEXPORTERS ValueShare ChangeRank IMPORTERSValue ShareChange
1United States 233.618.11 1United States 161.512.56
2United Kingdom 99.57.78 2Germany 121.89.43
3France 78.66.1-2 3Japan109.5 8.5-10
4Germany 75.75.91 4United Kingdom 76.15.97
5Italy 70.15.4-2 5Italy69.3 5.4-1
6Japan 60.84.7-11 6France 62.84.91
7Netherlands 48.33.7-1 7Netherlands 44.83.52
8Spain 48.03.710 8Canada 34.82.7-3
9Belgium-Luxembourg 34.72.74 9Belgium-Luxembourg 33.62.66
10Hong Kong, China 34.22.6-11 10Austria 28.72.21
            
11Austria 31.02.46 11China 28.62.2-5
12Canada 28.82.2-2 12Spain 27.32.112
13Switzerland 26.32.03 13Chinese Taipei 23.41.8-3
14Korea, Rep of 23.61.8-7 14Korea, Rep of 23.01.8-21
15China 23.01.8-6 15Hong Kong, China 22.71.8-2
16Turkey 22.41.717 16Sweden 20.61.66
17Singapore 18.21.4-40 17Brazil 18.91.57
18Sweden 17.41.4-1 18Ireland 18.01.420
19Chinese Taipei 16.61.3-2 19Singapore 18.01.4-7
20Australia 15.81.2-14 20Russian Fed. 17.81.4-7
            
21Denmark 15.71.24 21Australia 16.71.3-9
22Norway 13.91.1-2 22Switzerland 15.01.26
23Russian Fed. 12.91.0-7 23Denmark 14.91.2-1
24Thailand 12.81.0-18 24Norway 14.81.12
25Mexico 11.90.96 25Saudi Arabia 13.91.10
26Malaysia 10.90.8-27 26India 13.71.112
27India 10.50.822 27Mexico 12.51.06
28Greece 9.90.88 28Thailand 12.20.9-29
29Poland 8.90.7-1 29Indonesia 11.90.9-26
30Israel 8.70.74 30Malaysia 11.90.9-32
 Total of above1123 87.0-1  Total of above110085.2 -1
 World1290 100.0-2  World1290 100.0-1

Note: Secretariat estimates based on incomplete or preliminary data.


Appendix Table 4

Traders with a high share of agricultural products in their merchandise exports, 1990 and 1997
(Percentages)

 1990 1997
Malawi92
Belize9190
Paraguay 9082
Mozambique78
Iceland8075
   
Madagascar7072
Costa Rica6467
Nicaragua8963
Uruguay6161
New Zealand6361
   
Ecuador4661
El Salvador4156
Argentina6153
Zimbabwe4451
Honduras8643
   
Bolivia40
Cameroon3637
Chile3337
Colombia3737
Brazil3135
   
Morocco2935
Peru2534
Mauritius3331
Australia3030

Source: WTO, Annual Report 1998.



Appendix Chart 1


Appendix Chart 2

›››File
FROM THE HOME PAGE
German government allocates 400 million euros to support energy transition in maritime-port sector
Over 78 million euros to the ports of Augusta and Taranto for offshore wind
Rome
Funds distributed over three years starting from 2025
In the first three months of 2025, freight traffic in the port of La Spezia fell by -9.4%
The Spice
At the Marina di Carrara port, a growth of +3.7% was recorded
Ruote Libere denounces the loosening of anti-mafia controls in the road transport sector
Modena
Franchini: Minister Salvini's obsession with the construction of the Strait Bridge, even at the cost of widening the controls
Italy's connection index to the global network of containerized maritime services has fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter
Italy's connection index to the global network of containerized maritime services has fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter
Geneva
PLSCI indices of the main national ports on the rise by container traffic volume
A bill has been approved to prevent the management of Corsica's ports and airports from going to private companies
Paris
It provides for the creation of the Établissement Public du Commerce et de l'Industrie
In India, it is planned to designate at least one tugboat in major ports for emergencies at sea
Mumbai
Currently this is only happening in the ports of Mumbai and Chennai.
HMM and CMA CGM Total Terminal International Algeciras Expansion Project
Seoul
An investment of 150 million euros is planned. The capacity will be increased to 2.8 million teu
European Commission meeting to define the strategy for the development of EU ports and maritime industry
Brussels
Call for papers by July 28th
Assarmatori asks for support for Italian seafarers employed on short-haul routes and for the renewal of ferry fleets
Assarmatori asks for support for Italian seafarers employed on short-haul routes and for the renewal of ferry fleets
Rome
Messina: State Aid regime needs to be redesigned for European shipyards
In the first four months of 2025, maritime container traffic between Asia and Europe grew by +4.8%
Tokyo
-6.4% drop in shipments to Asian ports. +9.0% increase in unloading volumes in Europe
The impact on Italy of a possible closure of the maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz would be significant
Rome
The merchant fleet for energy products controlled by the Italian shipping industry interested in these traffics amounts to approximately 80 units.
Cargo traffic in China's seaports grew by +3.7% last month
Cargo traffic in China's seaports grew by +3.7% last month
Beijing
Containers amounted to 26.7 million TEU (+6.1%)
In 2024, 576 containers were lost at sea out of over 250 million transported by ships
Washington
About 200 have fallen from container ships in the Cape of Good Hope region
FMC questions deal exempting World Shipping Council companies from US antitrust rules
Washington
Meanwhile, Sola, appointed by Trump on January 20 to the presidency of the federal agency, is leaving his post today.
The European maritime-port sector nitpicks the reform of the Community customs rules
Brussels
Note from CLECAT, ECASBA, European Shipowners, ESPO, Feport and WSC
EU Council agrees on reform of the Union Customs Code
Brussels
CLECAT is concerned about the persistence of the concept of "Single Liable Person" in the text
In the first three months of 2025, freight traffic in the port of Civitavecchia grew by +2.4%
Civitavecchia
Increase of +9.9% in Gaeta and decrease of -17.1% in Fiumicino
Le Aziende informanoSponsored Article
Accelleron consolida le partnership con Somas e Geislinger per sostenere l'efficienza e la sostenibilità del settore marittimo
Japanese shipbuilding company Imabari Shipbuilding acquires control of fellow Japanese JMU
Imabari/Tokyo
Ownership share increased from 30% to 60%
WTO: New tariffs have given a boost to trade that is unlikely to last
Geneva
Recovery driven by importers who brought forward purchases in view of expected tariff increases
Terminal Investments Limited of the MSC Group acquires 50% of the capital of Barcelona Europe South Terminal
Barcelona
The transaction was authorized by the Port Authority of Barcelona
There are no implementing decrees for the SalvaMare law and Italian citizens are paying for the management of fished waste that is not carried out
Rome
The Marevivo Foundation and the Federation of the Sea report it
In five and a half years, 1,244 tons of drugs have been seized in EU ports
In five and a half years, 1,244 tons of drugs have been seized in EU ports
Lisbon
The largest quantities pass through ports in Belgium, Spain, Holland, Italy and Germany
The International Convention on Ship Recycling will enter into force tomorrow
Copenhagen
BIMCO urges EU to include Indian shipyards in EU list of ship recycling facilities
Assologistica presents the "Cruscotto" project to ensure transparency and legality in the logistics sector
Milan
Ruggerone: it is an infrastructure of trust between clients and operators
Federagenti, cruises cannot and must not become the target of an indiscriminate hate campaign
Federagenti, cruises cannot and must not become the target of an indiscriminate hate campaign
Rome
A "Pact for the Sea" proposed with solutions to tackle overtourism for which passenger ships are not to blame
New step forward for the construction of the underground freight transport system in Switzerland
New step forward for the construction of the underground freight transport system in Switzerland
Bern
Cargo sous terrain plans to build a 500-kilometer system by mid-century
Carnival posts record earnings for March-May period
Carnival posts record earnings for March-May period
Miami
The number of cruise passengers embarked also peaked this quarter
Federlogistica, it is reckless to activate railway construction sites without a concerted plan
Genoa
Falteri: Isolating the port of Genoa from the railway network for three weeks means putting the whole of Northern Italy in difficulty
Multipurpose terminals privatized in eight Saudi ports
Multipurpose terminals privatized in eight Saudi ports
Riyadh
Four will be operated by Saudi Global Ports and four by Red Sea Gateway Terminal
Public debate launched on the project for Pier VIII in the port of Trieste
Public debate launched on the project for Pier VIII in the port of Trieste
Trieste
A total investment of 315.8 million euros is expected
South Korea's HD Hyundai partners with US Edison Chouest Offshore to build containerships in US
South Korea's HD Hyundai partners with US Edison Chouest Offshore to build containerships in US
Seoul
The possibility of building other types of ships and constructing port cranes is foreseen
Rixi: with the Omnibus decree, Phase B of the new Genoa breakwater is guaranteed
Rome
Expenditure of 50 million euros authorised for 2026 and 92.8 million for 2027
Israel-Iran conflict prompts Maersk to suspend calls at Haifa port
Copenhagen
Those at the port of Ashdod will continue instead.
Northern European Nations Commitment to Counter Russian Shadow Fleet
Warsaw
If the vessels do not fly a valid flag in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea - they specify - we will take appropriate measures in compliance with international law.
Freight traffic in French ports stable in the first quarter of 2025
Freight traffic in French ports stable in the first quarter of 2025
The Defense
Containers and liquid bulk on the rise. Increase in unloading loads and decrease in loading loads
Cognolato (Assiterminal): Today more than ever we need a coherent port policy
Rome
All the critical issues highlighted in recent years still remain open - he highlighted.
Alessandro Pitto confirmed as president of Fedespedi
Milan
The Board of Directors, the Board of Arbiters and the Board of Auditors have been renewed
A protest action by Greek seafarers is heated, with the PENEN and PNO unions launching very serious accusations, including mutual ones
Piraeus
The strike, declared illegal by the courts, blocks some ships of the Attica group in the port of Patras
Saipem awarded contract for a phosphate mining project in Algeria that includes the upgrading of the port of Annaba
Milan
The construction of railway lines is also planned
Suez Canal celebrates return of large-capacity containership transits
Suez Canal celebrates return of large-capacity containership transits
Ismailia
Today it was crossed by the vessel "CMA CGM Osiris" which can carry 15,536 teu
IMO, ILO, ICS and ITF urge protection of seafarers' rights against unjust criminalisation
London
The "Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Relation to Alleged Offences" were adopted in April
Trump's new tariffs also hit container traffic at the Port of Long Beach
Long Beach
In the first five months of 2025, an increase of +17.2% was recorded
Transfer of the port of Carrara from the Ligurian to the Tuscan AdSP not without a discussion with the operators
Milan
Dario Perioli, FHP, Grendi and Tarros ask for it
Up to $768 billion in investments needed to adapt world ports to rising sea levels
New York
Port of Los Angeles Feels Impact of New Tariffs on Container Traffic
Los Angeles
A decrease of -4.8% was recorded in May
Assagenti proposes a task force to solve port, logistics and industrial problems
Genoa
A "problem solver" consultative body composed, in addition to the categories of the maritime cluster, of the manufacturing industries of the North-West quadrant
Cargo traffic at the port of Singapore fell by -4.6% in May
Singapore
New crane overturned for delivery in new Tuas port area
In the first quarter of 2025, freight traffic on the Swiss rail network fell by -6.4%
Neuchatel
Service performance at 2.35 billion tonne-km, down -8.2%
ANGOPI fears that new measures to ensure maritime continuity will penalise mooring services
ANGOPI fears that new measures to ensure maritime continuity will penalise mooring services
Ischia
Power: it is necessary to remove them from a perverse mechanism
Dutch HES International to operate bulk terminal in Marseille-Fos port
Marseille
The concession contract will have a minimum duration of 30 years
Ibiza government opposes Trasmed's overnight stay on board ferry program
Ibiza/Valencia
It is considered a "clandestine hotel", while the company defines it as a cruise service
Bruno Pisano appointed extraordinary commissioner of the AdSP of the Eastern Ligurian Sea
Rome
He will take up his post next Monday
Federlogistica proposes a comparison between operators on the congestion fee while waiting for a solution from the government
Genoa
In the first five months of 2025, container traffic in the port of Gioia Tauro grew by +10.3%
Joy Taurus
1,813,071 TEUs were handled
Pessina (Federagenti): Northern European logistics system is struggling. Let's take advantage of it!
Rome
Unexpected opportunity - he underlines - for the Mediterranean ports and Italian ones in particular
MSC Cruises Joins Carnival and Royal Caribbean in Capitalizing on Grand Bahama Shipyard
Miami
Negotiations underway since the end of 2024 have been successfully concluded
At The International Propeller Clubs the Dorso Award for the Mediterranean area
Naples
In recognition of the primary role played by logistics operators in Mediterranean traffic
ABB Signs Service Agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Zurich
It has a duration of 15 years and covers 33 ships in the fleet.
P&O Maritime Logistics (DP World Group) to acquire 51% of NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers
Lugano
Nova Marine Holding and Algoma Central Corporation will retain 49%
Stable freight traffic in the ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado Ligure in May
Genoa
A decrease of -2.4% was recorded in the Ligurian capital's airport; a rise of +7.2% was recorded in the Savona airport
Consilium Safety Group Expands Presence in Türkiye and Maritime Market
Gothenburg
Ares Marine acquired
The first InnoWay freight railcars have left the Bagnoli della Rosandra plant
Fincantieri has opened a new Innovation Antenna in South Korea
Seoul
It is located in the heart of Seoul's technology district.
The commissioners of various AdSPs also assume the powers attributed to the Management Committees
Rome
Provisions for the port authorities of the Ionian Sea, the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea, the Eastern Ligurian Sea and the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea
Ferrara-based INCICO acquires Italiana Sistemi and focuses on transport engineering
Ferrara/Naples
It specializes in infrastructure and plant engineering in the railway and road sectors
SAILING LIST
Visual Sailing List
Departure ports
Arrival ports by:
- alphabetical order
- country
- geographical areas
Hupac announces expansion of Duisburg-Singen shuttle with connections to Italy
Noise
Daily departures will be made
The transfer of 80% of Louis-Dreyfus Armateurs' capital to InfraVia has been implemented
Suresnes/Paris
The Louis-Dreyfus family retains the remaining 20%
Port of Genoa, green light for extension of concession to Spinelli until September 30
Genoa
Ok also to the extension to the Campostano group
The National Maritime Fund has started the recognition of scholarships
Genoa
They are granted for basic training and security familiarization courses.
RFI and MIT sign the update to the program contract for approximately 2.1 billion
Rome
Around 500 million euros expected for the management of the railway network
San Giorgio del Porto delivers a vessel for the bunkering of liquefied natural gas
Genoa
It was built for Genova Trasporti Marittimi
Pisano (AdSP Liguria Orientale): the ports of La Spezia and Carrara have integrated almost perfectly
La Spezia/Bari
Extraordinary Commissioner of the Southern Adriatic Sea Port Authority appointed
Raffaele Latrofa appointed president of the AdSP of the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea
Rome
He is the deputy mayor of Pisa
India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Acquires Control of Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard
Mumbai
Investment of approximately 53 million dollars
The Commissioner of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority has been granted the powers and prerogatives of the Management Committee
Genoa
The measure pending the restoration of the ordinary top management bodies
The Three-Year Operational Plan 2025-2027 of the Central Adriatic Port Authority has been approved
Ancona
Favorable opinion of the Sea Resource Partnership Body
The public meeting of the International Containers Studies Center will be held in Genoa on July 2nd
Genoa
It will deal with the physical transformations of the container and the digitalization of processes
Witte (ISU): In 2024, the ship salvage sector stabilized from the low of two years ago
London
Andrea Ormesani is the new president of Assosped Venezia
Venice
Board of Directors Renewed. Paolo Salvaro Remains General Secretary
Finnish Elomatic to Install Tunnel Thrusters on 11 Carnival Cruise Ships
Turku
The works will begin next autumn and will end in 2028
The Assarmatori assembly will be held in Rome on July 1st
Rome
"Mediterranean against the current" the theme of the meeting
Fincantieri has delivered the new cruise ship Viking Vesta to the American Viking
Trieste/Los Angeles
It was built in the Ancona shipyard
The Genoa Coast Guard has placed the container ship PL Germany under administrative detention
Genoa
MSC Group to manage cruise services in the ports of Bari and Brindisi
Bari
Ten-year concession with possibility of extension
Italian Navy orders two new Multipurpose Combat Ships from Fincantieri
Trieste
The order to the shipbuilding company is worth 700 million euros
German Kombiverkehr Returns to Profit in 2024
Frankfurt am Main
The level of revenues remained unchanged at 434.6 million euros.
Deltamarin to design the six new ro-pax vessels ordered by Grimaldi for the Mediterranean routes
Turku
The practice of subcontracting in European logistics is creating a parallel labour market where rights are not enforced
Brussels
"Sorry, We Subcontracted You" Report Presented
Tomorrow Grendi will launch the group's fourth ship on routes to and from Sardinia
Milan
"Grendi Star", with a load capacity of 2,800 linear meters, will connect Marina di Carrara and Cagliari
FREMM frigates operational support contract signed between Orizzonte Sistemi Navali and OCCAR
Taranto
The agreement has a total value of approximately 764 million euros
In the port of Gioia Tauro, the Guardia di Finanza soldiers seized 228 kilos of cocaine
Reggio Calabria
Two dockers arrested
Call to reform the entire driver training system in the transport sector
Rome
Seven proposals presented
Port of Livorno, new observatory to find solutions to the problem of port congestion
Leghorn
Marilli: We will seek solutions to reach the possible revocation of the port fee
Lockton PL Ferrari closed the last fiscal year with gross revenues of 34 million dollars
Genoa
Insurance premium volume rose to 350 million
Polish Trans Polonia Group acquires Dutch Nijman/Zeetank Holding
Tczew
It specializes in the transportation and logistics of liquid and gaseous products
d'Amico Tankers Sells Two 2011-Built Tankers for $36.2 Million
Luxembourg
They will be delivered to buyers by the end of July and on December 21st.
PORTS
Italian Ports:
Ancona Genoa Ravenna
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerno
Bari La Spezia Savona
Brindisi Leghorn Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palermo Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venice
Italian Interports: list World Ports: map
DATABASE
ShipownersShipbuilding and Shiprepairing Yards
ForwardersShip Suppliers
Shipping AgentsTruckers
MEETINGS
The Assarmatori assembly will be held in Rome on July 1st
Rome
"Mediterranean against the current" the theme of the meeting
The public meeting of the International Containers Studies Center will be held in Genoa on July 2nd
Genoa
››› Meetings File
PRESS REVIEW
US has its eye on Greek ports
(Kathimerini)
Proposed 30% increase for port tariffs to be in phases, says Loke
(Free Malaysia Today)
››› Press Review File
FORUM of Shipping
and Logistics
Intervento del presidente Tomaso Cognolato
Roma, 19 giugno 2025
››› File
The Italian Merchant Marine Academy plans 13 new free courses
Genoa
Over 300 positions available
A delegation of Wista Italy visits the ports of Catania and Augusta
Catania/August
The association is made up of women who hold positions of responsibility in the maritime, logistics and trade sectors.
In the first five months of 2025, the port of Algeciras handled 1.9 million containers (-6.3%)
Algeciras
Empty containers decreased by -5.5% and full ones by -6.4%
Reway Group enters the port railway infrastructure maintenance sector
Licciana Nardi
Two contracts awarded by the AdSP of the Eastern Ligurian Sea
Delcomar and Ensamar take over maritime services with the smaller Sardinian islands
Cagliari
The tender for the six-year concession of the connections has been awarded
Port of Trieste, the newly appointed Gurrieri torpedoes the newly appointed Torbianelli
Trieste
Russo (Pd): it's a squalid power game
Singapore's SeaLead expands its maritime shipping offering to connect Turkey and Italy
Singapore
Route connected to services transiting the Suez Canal
The US Container Security Initiative program has been extended to Morocco
Rabat
Amrani: Let's consolidate Tanger Med's role as a safe and world-class maritime hub
Very positive first quarter for Greek Euroseas
Athens
Pittas: the positive momentum continued in the second quarter
Assonat and SACE present a plan for Italian tourist ports
Rome
RINA has acquired the entire capital of Finnish Foreship
Helsinki
The Helsinki-based company specializes in consulting in the field of marine and mechanical engineering.
Kuehne+Nagel has opened a new branch in Naples
Milan
The aim is to support the operational growth of the group in Southern Italy
Container traffic down at Barcelona and Valencia ports in May
Barcelona/Valencia
Resumption of containers in transit at the Catalan port
Annual cargo traffic in Greek ports stable in 2024
Piraeus
Domestic volumes are growing, while foreign trade is decreasing
Perplexity of freight forwarders, customs agents and maritime agents of La Spezia at the transfer of the port of Carrara to the Tuscan AdSP
The Spice
Timidly, they "hope for consideration for the progress made so far"
Francesco Mastro appointed extraordinary commissioner of the Southern Adriatic Sea Port Authority
Rome
He will take up office on June 30th.
John Denholm to be new president of the International Chamber of Shipping
Athens
He will take over from Emanuele Grimaldi in a year
Extraordinary commissioners of the two Ligurian Port System Authorities have been installed
Genoa/La Spezia
Matteo Paroli and Bruno Pisano at the helm of the institutions
Assogasliquidi-Federchimica shows the way to accelerate the decarbonization of road and maritime transport
Rome
Container traffic at Hong Kong port drops sharply in May
Hong Kong
1.05 million TEUs were handled (-12.7%)
Eagle S tanker command blamed for cutting submarine cables in Gulf of Finland
Advantages
The accident was caused by the ship's anchor
Online platform to report critical issues that put transport workers at risk
Genoa
It was prepared by Fit Cisl Liguria
GNV to create a direct summer connection between Civitavecchia and Tunis
Genoa
It will run alongside the historic route via Palermo
The unification of Grimaldi's concessions in the port of Barcelona has been completed
Madrid/Barcelona
The contract expires on September 20, 2035.
In the first five months of 2025, cargo traffic in Russian ports fell by -4.9%
St. Petersburg
A decrease of approximately -12% was recorded in May
Raben Logistics Group Creates Subsidiary in Türkiye
Milan
It will have 20 employees and a 2,000 square meter cross-dock warehouse
Alberto Dellepiane confirmed as president of Assorimorchiatori
Rome
The composition of the entire association leadership remains unchanged
Agreement between Fincantieri and Indonesian PMM to develop solutions to face new unconventional underwater challenges
Structural adaptation works on dock 23 of the port of Ancona awarded
Ancona
Intervention worth over 11.8 million euros
Conference on the role of LNG and bioLNG for the decarbonisation of transport and industry
Rome
The Federchimica-Assogasliquidi event will take place on Monday in Rome
Dutch Bolidt increases presence in cruise ship sector with acquisition of American Boteka
Hendrik Ido Ambacht
Contship Italia has acquired the Genoese customs services company STS
Melzo
The Ligurian company was founded in 1985
Francesco Benevolo has been appointed extraordinary commissioner of the AdSP of the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea
Rome
He is the operations director of RAM - Logistics, Infrastructure and Transport
Montaresi resigns as commissioner of the Eastern Ligurian Port Authority
The Spice
In the eight months of administration - he underlines - we have not lost even a second
Gurrieri has been appointed extraordinary commissioner of the AdSP of the Eastern Adriatic Sea
Trieste
Pending the completion of the formal process for the designation of the president
The commissioners of the AdSP of Western Liguria have handed over their mandate to Minister Salvini
Genoa
The decision is part of the process of designation and nomination of the new leaders
Confetra criticizes the provisions of the decree-law Infrastructure for road transport
Rome
The Confederation urges the blocking of the process of appointing the presidents of the port authorities
Taiwanese Evergreen, Yang Ming and WHL saw revenue decline in May
Keelung/Taipei
The decline is accentuated for the two main companies
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