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April 2000


DEVELOPING COUNTRIES' MERCHANDISE EXPORTS IN 1999 EXPANDED BY 8.5% -
ABOUT TWICE AS FAST AS THE GLOBAL AVERAGE

Developing countries' merchandise exports in 1999 expanded by 8.5 per cent or about two times faster than the global average. Throughout the 1990s, developing countries' exports rose faster than world trade, with the exception of 1998. In 1999, the share of developing countries was 27.5 per cent for merchandise exports and 23 per cent for commercial services exports, both being more than 4 percentage points higher than in 1990.

Among the least-developed countries, merchandise export growth differed sharply again in 1999. Exporters of manufactured goods like Bangladesh, Cambodia and Haiti expanded their exports faster than world trade. Oil exporters, such as Angola and Yemen, benefitted from the oil price hike and increased their exports by more than one third. While, non-fuel commodity exporters, faced with declining commodity prices, tended to record lower export values.

Global commercial services trade accelerated only slightly in 1999, as the recovery in Asia and higher growth in North America were partly offset by lower growth in Western Europe and an import contraction in Latin America and the transition economies.

These are among the findings of the WTO's preliminary report on trade developments in 1999 and the outlook for this year (full report is attached). Other highlights include the following:

  • Global output and trade strengthened considerably in the second half of 1999, thereby improving the prospects for higher growth in the current year. The recovery in Asia and continued high demand growth in North America contributed most to global trade expansion last year.

  • World commodity output in 1999 increased by 1.5 per cent, the same as in 1998. A fall in mining sector output (in particular oil) contrasted with stronger growth in the manufacturing sector (e.g. electronic goods and automobiles). The global output of services industries exceeded commodity output growth. World GDP growth increased from 2 in 1998 to 3 per cent in 1999.

  • Trade benefitted from the stronger economic activity. Although for the year as a whole merchandise trade expanded in volume terms at the same rate as in 1998 (4.5 per cent), the pace of the expansion in the fourth quarter exceeded the average rate of 6.5 per cent recorded in the nineties.

  • International capital markets remained buoyant. Global FDI flows surged to a new record level of 800 billion dollars, driven by an exceptionally large value of cross border mergers and acquisitions. The sharp rise in global capital flows was largely concentrated among developed countries. Private net capital flows to emerging markets are estimated to have stagnated in 1999 at about 150 billion dollars.

  • Nominal and real effective exchange rates recorded major variations, leaving their mark on trade flows. While the euro and most European currencies weakened vis-à-vis the US dollar, many East Asian currencies, in particular the Japanese yen, the Korean won and the Thai baht, appreciated markedly.

  • Average prices of internationally traded goods declined slightly. The weakness of the Euro contributed largely to the fall in Western Europe's dollar export prices and a decrease in the prices of manufactured goods. Non-fuel commodity prices continued to weaken further, thus affecting the earnings of many raw material exporters. Oil prices, which had fallen sharply in 1998, recovered strongly in 1999 due to a cutback in oil output and an increase in global demand.

  • World merchandise trade value increased by 3.5 per cent in 1999, faster than commercial services trade. Nevertheless for the 1990-99 period as a whole, commercial services trade still expanded slightly faster than merchandise trade.

  • Thanks to oil price developments, the highest export value growth of all regions in 1999 was recorded in the Middle East and Africa. However, this strong expansion last year did not fully offset the declines recorded in 1998.

  • Merchandise imports grew at double-digit rates in North America and Asia, stagnated in Western Europe and Africa and decreased by about 10 per cent in the transition economies and in Latin America (excluding Mexico).

  • Merchandise export growth among the LDCs differed sharply again in 1999. Oil exporters such as Angola and Yemen benefitted from the oil price hike and increased their exports by more than one-third. Exporters of manufactured goods like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Haiti and Myanmar expanded their exports faster than world trade. Non-fuel commodity exporters faced with declining commodity prices tended to record lower export values.

  • Developing countries' merchandise exports expanded by 8.5 per cent or about two times faster than the global average. Throughout the 1990s developing countries' exports rose faster than world trade, with the exception of 1998. In 1999, the share of developing countries was 27.5 per cent for merchandise exports and 23 per cent for commercial services exports, both being more than 4 percentage points higher than in 1990.

  • Commercial services trade accelerated only slightly in 1999, as the recovery in Asia and higher growth in North America were partly offset by lower growth in Western Europe, and an import contraction in Latin America and the transition economies.




WORLD TRADE DEVELOPMENTS

Main Features

A strengthening of world economic output in 1999 reversed the slowdown of world trade in the first half of 1999 and led to a dynamic expansion of trade in the second half. For the year as a whole, the real growth of world trade remained unchanged from the preceding year and was below the average trade expansion recorded throughout the 1990s. Although trade growth continued to exceed both the growth in world commodity output and world GDP, the excess margin between the growth rates remained smaller in 1999 than those observed during the 1990-1997 period.


Demand in the United States and the Asian recovery were the motors of the global trade expansion in 1999. The outstanding strength of United States investment and private consumption benefitted not only the NAFTA region, but also sustained the recovery in Asia and to a lesser extent output in Western Europe. A major factor behind the excellent performance of the United States economy and the unprecedented length of the current expansion has been the high level of investment in information technology, the backbone of the "new economy". Excitement about the growth potential of the new economy has attracted large capital inflows and contributed to an extraordinary boom in the creation and valuation of high-tech companies. While the high rate of investment has increased production capacity and stimulated productivity growth of the United States economy, the question arises for how long high output and demand growth can be sustained without leading to inflationary pressures. A further risk to the strong economic expansion in the United States could arise from the widening of the current account deficit, which points to the increasing role of foreign savings in sustaining United States demand growth. An erosion of investor confidence in the outlook for the United States economy could lead to lower capital inflows and trigger a correction in the dollar rate and the stock markets.

The recovery in Asia was stronger than expected and led to double-digit real import growth in 1999. GDP growth was uneven among the economies in the region, ranging from 11 per cent in the case of the Republic of Korea to stagnation in the case of Indonesia. In many countries economic growth was sustained by fiscal stimulus, replenishment of inventories and a rebound in the global demand for electronic goods.



The information technology sector and the automobile industry both recorded strong global output growth. Within the information technology sector, the unit sales of personal computers rose by 22 per cent to 114 million units, and the dollar value of global sales of semi-conductors expanded by 18 per cent, to a new record level of 160 billion dollars. One of the most dynamic branches of the global information technology industry in 1999 was mobile phones. It is estimated that world-wide sales of cellular mobile phones reached 283 million units, an increase of two-thirds over 1998 sales. New registrations of passenger cars are estimated to have expanded by 5.5 per cent, lifting the production of passenger cars to a new all time high of 48.6 million units in 1999. Although trade data by product group are still incomplete, there is no doubt that exports of automotive products and of office and telecom equipment have expanded significantly faster than the global average.

Developments in world financial markets continued to influence global trade developments through shifts in the direction of international capital flows and their impact on exchange rate changes. Global FDI flows have surged by about 25 per cent, to some 800 billion dollars. FDI inflows in Asia stagnated or rose only marginally, while the United States recorded net FDI inflows of 130 billion dollars. The main factor behind the increase in global FDI flows was the exceptional wave of cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

While the United States attracted an unprecedented level of capital inflows, which financed its widening current account deficit, net private capital flows to the major emerging markets are estimated to have stagnated at 150 billion dollars in 1999.

The increase in the United States current account deficit caused by increased imports can be seen as a positive cyclical element in the world economy as it allows output and employment to be sustained in foreign export industries facing excess capacity. At the same time, the deficit eases inflationary pressures in the United States where labour and productive capital are increasingly scarce. However, what is beneficial in a certain cyclical situation might be difficult to sustain in the medium term.

In particular, a large current account surplus of the developing countries vis-à-vis the United States (or any other high income country) is hardly a desirable feature over a longer period. Why is this so when most governments seem to favour a current account surplus over a deficit? A current account surplus implies that net capital (= savings) from the developing countries flows to other countries where it supports investment and/or consumption. A more desirable situation for the developing countries is a current account deficit (and a rising trade volume), and a concurrent inflow of capital that is used to enlarge (profitable) production capacity. If the capital inflow is used primarily for consumption, increased debt and debt servicing costs are unlikely to be sustainable.

The present large net capital inflows into the United States reflect, on the one hand, that foreign investors expect investment returns to be higher in the United States than elsewhere, and on the other, that United States consumers are spending an historically high share of current income (encouraged by its increased financial wealth), while United States companies maintain a high level of capital spending. A reversal in foreign investors' appreciation of future earnings in the United States or a cutback in United States consumption or investment growth could rapidly change the size of the United States current account deficit, which in 1999 was equivalent to 3.7 per cent of GDP - a historic record level.

Prices of internationally traded goods decreased slightly as the increase in oil prices was offset by a further decrease in the prices of non-fuel commodities and manufactured goods. Among the non-fuel commodities, prices of food and beverages decreased by more than 15 per cent while those of agricultural materials and metals remained roughly unchanged, although they started to strengthen in the second half of 1999. Despite this partial price recovery, the annual average prices of non-fuel commodities fell to a ten year low. The decrease in the dollar price of manufactured goods can be attributed to the fall in prices of office and telecom equipment as well as the strength of the United States dollar vis-à-vis the euro and the near absence of inflation in the goods sector of all major economies.

Given that oil prices tripled from 10 dollars per barrel in February 1999 to 30 dollars in the first quarter of 2000, concerns about a resurgence of consumer prices are understandable. However, the marked reduction in the oil intensity of output in the industrial countries - by about 40 per cent since the first oil price hike more than 25 years ago - has reduced this risk considerably. The increased role of natural gas in world fuels trade has also contributed to moderate the increase in import prices of fuels. While the impact of the rebounding oil prices have been small on consumer prices in 1999, the impact was dramatic on the export revenues of the oil exporters. The Middle East recorded export growth in excess of 20 per cent in 1999, but this did not fully offset a corresponding decline in 1998.







WORLD TRADE IN 1999

1. Global trade and output developments

While the negative impact of the financial crisis in Asia and Latin America on output and trade flows were initially underestimated, the more sober projections for 1999 turned out to be too pessimistic. Output of developing countries in Asia rebounded by 6 per cent, Russian GDP recovered by 3 per cent and Brazil's economy achieved positive growth for the full year of 1999. The United States economy again provided a major stimulus to world trade last year as domestic demand grew by 5.5 per cent. By contrast, the Japanese economy stagnated and Western Europe's GDP growth decelerated to 2 per cent.

On a sectoral basis, preliminary data suggest that mining output decreased as crude oil production was cut back by 1.5 per cent and agricultural output rose for the second year in a row by only about 1 per cent. Manufacturing output recovered and expanded by about 2.5 per cent. The highly divergent growth rates of regional demand and sectoral output left their mark on global trade flows, which also differed strongly by region and sector.

The value of world merchandise trade rose by 3.5 per cent in 1999 and amounted to 5.45 trillion dollars. Average trade prices decreased for the third year in a row, although the decrease in 1999 was much smaller than in preceding years.

Trade in commercial services rose by 1.5 per cent in 1999 and thereby less rapidly than merchandise trade. Price data for United States commercial services point to a moderate increase in prices for internationally traded services. This implies that the expansion of exports of commercial services has probably also lagged behind merchandise export growth in volume terms.

World exports of merchandise and commercial services, 1997-99
 ValueAnnual change
 1999199719981999
 
Merchandise54603.5-1.53.5
 
Commercial services13404.00.01.5


2. Merchandise trade

A detailed review of world merchandise trade by product group in 1999 is not yet feasible at the time of writing this report. However, partial information indicates that rebounding oil prices have led to an increase of world fuels exports in excess of 20 per cent. Above average growth was also recorded for office and telecom equipment and automotive products. Primary products, other than fuels, on average experienced price declines in 1999. Taking into account moderate demand growth, the global value of non-fuel primary products has probably stagnated or changed only very little from the preceding year.

Preliminary data on merchandise trade by region are provided in Tables II.2 and II.3. The large variations in import volumes by region largely reflect the differences in regional demand and output growth. As can be seen from Table II.2, North America and Asia recorded import growth slightly above 10 per cent or two times faster than the global average. While for North America this was the third year in a row in which import growth exceeded 10 per cent, the developments in Asia illustrate the strength of the region's recovery, which offset the sharp import contraction in the preceding year. While imports of Asia recovered, those of Western Europe recorded a marked deceleration. The transition economies as a group recorded a 10 per cent contraction due to the sharp cut back of imports into Russia and the Ukraine. Imports of Africa and the Middle East changed little in real terms in 1999, also reflecting poor export earnings in recent years.

Table II.2
Growth in the volume of world merchandise trade by selected region, 1997-99
(Percentage change)
    
 Exports Imports
        
 199719981999 199719981999
        
World a10.54.54.5 
North America11.03.54.5 13.010.510.5
Latin America11.57.57.0 22.58.5-2.0
Mexico19.511.013.5 28.015.515.0
Other Latin America6.55.52.0 20.04.5-12.0
Western Europe9.55.53.5 9.08.53.5
European Union (15) 9.56.03.5 8.58.54.0
Transition economies10.55.0-3.0 13.55.0-10.0
Asia13.03.56.0 5.5-8.59.0
Japan12.0-1.52.0 1.5-5.59.5
Asia (5) b16.513.011.5 3.0-22.517.5
a Average of export and import growth.
b Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines 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 a world total.

The variation among regional export growth rates in 1999 was smaller than for imports. Despite sharply lower intra-regional trade, Latin America recorded the highest export expansion of all regions. Asian export growth exceeded the global average as Japan's exports recovered and the five Asian developing countries affected most by the 1997/98 financial crisis achieved double-digit export growth. North America's exports accelerated somewhat thanks to the dynamic performance of intra-trade. The deceleration of West European economic activity in 1999 led to markedly lower growth of intra-trade. While intra-European Union exports expanded two times faster than world trade in 1998, its growth in 1999 fell below that of world trade. The transition economies and the Middle East both recorded a contraction of their export volume.


Turning to developments in value terms, the Middle East reports the highest regional export growth rate despite its reduction in export volume. Africa's export growth was, at 8 per cent, the second highest among all regions. This was largely due to the sharp recovery of shipments from the region's oil-exporting countries. However, it should be recalled that for both Africa and the Middle East, the 1999 rise did not fully offset the decrease recorded in the preceding year. Latin America's exports rose by a strong 6 per cent, as the higher growth of Mexico's and some Caribbean countries' exports more than offset the sharp declines reported for all South American countries. A recovery of intra-Asian trade supported by stronger regional growth and appreciating currencies led Asian exports to regain their pre-crisis peak level. North American exports expanded by 4 per cent in 1999, following a small contraction in 1998. The marginal decline in Western Europe's export value was due to a deceleration in volume growth but above all, to a fall of nearly 4 per cent in the region's dollar export prices. The weaker export prices are principally due to the depreciation of the Euro vis-à-vis the US dollar. The sluggishness of Western Europe's import growth, together with the sharp contraction of Russia's imports, contributed to a further decrease in the export value of transition economies in 1999.

Table II.3
Growth in the value of world merchandise trade by region, 1997-99
(Billion dollars and percentage change)
    
 Exports (f.o.b.) Imports (c.i.f.)
        
 Value Annual percentage change Value Annual percentage change
            
 1999 199719981999 1999 199719981999
            
World5460 3.5-1.63.5 5725 3.5-0.84.0
North America934 9.2-0.74.0 1281 10.34.411.5
Latin America292 10.2-1.26.0 329 18.54.8-4.0
Mexico137 15.06.416.5 148 22.613.913.5
Other Latin America156 7.2-6.2-2.0 181 16.4-0.1-14.5
Western Europe2349 -0.63.4-0.5 2417 -0.35.90.5
European Union (15)2176 -0.53.8-0.5 2233 -0.56.31.0
Extra-EU (15) trade799 1.8-0.3-1.5 851 -0.36.22.5
Transition economies212 4.1-4.6-1.5 211 6.5-1.8-13.0
Central/Eastern Europe101 6.39.50.0 129 5.610.8-2.0
Russian Federation74 -0.4-15.90.0 41 6.7-19.8-30.5
Africa113 1.9-15.58.0 132 5.51.20.5
South Africa a27 6.2-9.01.5 27 9.5-9.3-8.5
Major fuel exporters b41 -0.1-31.424.0 30 9.6-0.85.5
Middle East169 4.7-22.422.0 152 8.1-3.24.0
Asia1390 5.4-6.17.5 1201 0.4-17.810.5
Japan419 2.4-7.88.0 311 -3.0-17.211.0
China195 21.00.66.0 166 2.5-1.518.0
Asia (5) c371 5.1-3.59.5 292 -3.1-30.915.5
a Beginning 1998, figures refer to South Africa and no longer to the South African Common Customs Area.
b Angola, Algeria, Congo, Gabon, Libyan Arab Yamahiriya and Nigeria.
c Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.


3. Commercial services trade

The global export value of commercial services recovered in 1999 after stagnating in 1998. Preliminary data by major services categories indicate that all categories recorded positive growth. Transportation services are estimated to have expanded less than the average growth rate of 1.5 per cent despite the increase in fuel costs. Travel services and the residual grouping of Other business services have both expanded by about 2 to 3 per cent.


The commercial services trade data by region shown in Table II.4 indicate that the most dynamic export and import growth in 1999 was in North America and Asia. While North America's services import growth exceeded its export growth, thereby reducing its traditional surplus in commercial services, Asia's imports and exports expanded at about the same rate (4-5 per cent). The rebound in Asian services trade is much weaker than for Asian merchandise trade, in particular for exports. In contrast to the developments in North America and Asia, Western Europe's services trade expanded less favourably in 1999 than in the preceding year. Available data for the transition economies point to a sharp contraction of both services exports and imports.

Table II.4
Growth in the value of world trade in commercial services by selected region, 1997-99
(Billion dollars and percentage change)
 
 Exports Imports
 
 Value Annual change Value Annual change
 
 1999 199719981999 1999 199719981999
            
World1340 402 1335 313
North America284 825 219 1069
United States252 925 182 11810
Latin America54 79-2 60 134-9
Mexico12 56-3 14 1979
Other Latin America42 810-2 47 124-13
Western Europe630 260 600 071
European Union (15)565 151 555 072
Transition economies47 02-10 44 01-8
Asia267 5-154 337 2-115
Japan60 3-9-3 114 -5-93
Hong Kong, China35 1-103 22 5-2-2
China27 19-2 32 34-4
Asia (5) a62 7-233 73 5-255
aIndonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand
Note: Separate reliable data are not available for Africa and the Middle East, although estimates for these regions have been made to calculate a world total.


4. Trade by region and country

The outstanding high investment and consumption growth in the United States resulted in an expansion of imports of goods and services of more than 10 per cent in both nominal and real terms. Over the last two years United States import demand sustained world trade remarkably. Excluding shipments to the United States, the nominal value of world merchandise and services trade in 1999 would have still been below its 1997 level and the volume expansion of world merchandise trade would have been limited to 6 per cent instead of 9 per cent. The share of the United States in world merchandise imports rose to 18 per cent, the highest US share ever. Strong domestic growth was also one reason why United States merchandise exports in real terms lagged behind global trade growth. All countries having strong trade ties with the United States benefitted from this development, and in particular Canada, which expanded its merchandise exports to the United States over the last two years by about 18 per cent, or twice the rate of global trade growth.

Commercial services' imports of the United States rose by 10 per cent and two times faster than exports. Canada's import growth of commercial services recovered to 5.5 per cent, but remained for the fifth year in a row behind the expansion of its services exports. Although the expansion of United States commercial services' imports has exceeded that of exports since 1997, the United States surplus in services in 1999 still amounted to US$68 billion.

In 1999, Latin America recorded its worst annual economic performance for the last decade, as regional output stagnated and the volume of merchandise imports decreased by 2 per cent. At least eight economies recorded lower output in 1999 than in the preceding year. As in 1998, there is a striking difference in output and trade growth between Mexico and all the other Latin American countries combined. While Mexico's merchandise exports and imports rose over the last two years by more than 20 per cent, other Latin American countries combined reported a fall in exports of nearly 8 per cent and in imports of nearly 15 per cent.

A large part of the divergent performance can be attributed to differences in the export structure. Manufactured goods account for 85 per cent of Mexico's exports, but only 40 per cent for Latin America excluding Mexico. Manufactures enjoyed more stable prices than non-fuel commodities. In addition, Mexico's exports are destined largely to the booming North American market (nearly 90 per cent) while the other Latin American countries ship less than 30 per cent of their exports to North America. Mercosur experienced a contraction of its intra-trade by about one quarter, as output of its member countries declined or stagnated.

For commercial services imports, one can observe a similar divergency, as Mexico's imports rose by 15 per cent, while those of the other Latin American countries contracted by nearly 10 per cent over the last two years. Only for commercial services exports, Mexico reports a stronger decrease than the other Latin American countries in 1999. The somewhat surprising decline reported for Mexico's commercial services exports is attributed to a decrease in revenues from both travel and other business services.

The slowdown in Western Europe's output growth to 2 per cent in 1999 contributed to a markedly lower trade growth in volume terms. As more than two-thirds of Western Europe's trade is intra-regional, weak consumption growth affected both exports and imports. As regards merchandise trade, it is estimated that exports and imports grew in volume terms by about 3.5 per cent and thereby less than world trade. As the Euro and other European currencies weakened vis-à-vis the US dollar, the region's dollar export and import prices decreased on average by about 4 per cent, leading to a stagnation of their trade dollar values in 1999. Austria, France and Sweden were among the West European countries which recorded only moderate import growth, while Norway and Turkey even experienced a contraction of their import volumes in 1999. Spain, Portugal and Ireland, however, continued to be the most dynamic traders in Western Europe, with imports and exports expanding much faster than the European average.

Although output in the transition economies recovered by about 2 per cent, growth remained disappointingly low in the tenth year of transition. Poland is the only country in the region in which the output level in 1999 was above the level attained ten years ago. The sluggishness in Western Europe's economy together with a dramatic shrinkage of Russian imports depressed the region's trade in 1999. Merchandise and commercial services trade were both shrinking in dollar value and volume terms. Most of the decline was concentrated in the CIS member countries. Central and Eastern Europe's merchandise trade slowed down sharply but continued to show positive real growth in 1999. Hungary continued to record the highest trade growth among the Central/East European countries. In 1999, its merchandise exports and imports expanded by about 9 per cent in dollar terms. A major contribution to this strong trade performance was made by the expansion of intra-industry trade in office and telecom equipment and automotive products.

Africa and the Middle East recorded one of their weakest annual GDP growth performances in the 1990s. The rebound in their merchandise exports was largely due to the recovery in oil prices. Africa's merchandise exports rose by 8 per cent in 1999. The major fuel exporters recorded an increase of about one-quarter, which did not fully offset the decline recorded in 1998. South Africa and other non-fuel exporting African countries recorded an increase in their export earnings of less than 2 per cent. African imports stagnated in dollar terms for the second year in a row, as sharp declines in South Africa's imports were offset by increases by African developing countries.

Economic growth patterns differed widely in Asia in 1999. While GDP growth in the two most populous countries in the region, China and India, was about 7 per cent, the output in Japan, the largest economy in Asia, stagnated. Among the five Asian countries severely affected by financial crisis, the Republic of Korea recorded an outstanding recovery with double digit growth, while Indonesian output stagnated. Asian developing countries as a group recorded an output expansion of 6 per cent, at least two times faster than any other developing region.

One of the outstanding developments of Asian trade in 1999 was the double digit trade volume growth of the five Asian countries most affected by financial crises in 1997-98. Their export expansion remained very strong (11.5 per cent) and imports rebounded sharply without offsetting fully the contraction of the preceding year. The regional recovery and the cyclical recovery in the electronic goods industry contributed largely to this dynamic growth. For the Republic of Korea and Malaysia, exports of office and telecom equipment accounted for more than 80 per cent of the overall increase of their export value in 1999.

Japan's merchandise trade recovery was strong, taking into account its stagnating economy. However, export and import values did not regain their pre-crisis peak levels. Japan's commercial services exports continued to shrink, while imports picked-up after a marked decrease in 1997-98. China's merchandise imports expanded by 18 per cent while those of Hong Kong, China decreased for the second consecutive year. A notable feature in Asia's trade is the steady decline of the share of Hong Kong, China in Asia's merchandise trade. Hong Kong, China's domestic exports and retained imports had by 1999 fallen below their 1990 level. This decline has to be seen in the context of the relocation of Hong Kong, China's manufacturing industry to China, which in turn has greatly enhanced its share in world exports. In respect to commercial services, however, Hong Kong, China maintains its position as the leading developing country exporter. For the Asian region, exports of commercial services decreased more strongly in 1998 and recovered by far less in 1999 than did merchandise exports. For imports of commercial services, the recovery in 1999 was also far smaller than for merchandise trade.

Looking at trade performance by country, the following features emerge for 1999 trade developments (see Appendix Tables). First, the United States consolidated its leading position in world merchandise imports and world commercial services exports. Its share in world merchandise imports reached, at 18 per cent, its highest level ever. Second, oil-exporting countries recorded in general the highest export growth in 1999 (at least 16 of them recorded export increases ranging from 15 per cent to 50 per cent). For most of them the increase in 1999 did not fully offset the declines recorded in the preceding year. Third, exporters of office and telecom equipment benefitted from the recovery in the global electronic goods industry. The double digit export growth of the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Costa Rica and Israel was largely due to office and telecom equipment exports. Fourth, a large number (at least 24) of South American and transition economies recorded double-digit decreases in their imports and often also a fall in their export values. The main causes of these bleak developments include the steep fall of intra-regional trade and the low prices of non-fuel commodities. Fifth, the four largest traders in Western Europe (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) all recorded a small decline in their merchandise export values and minimal changes in their imports.


5. Processing trade contributes to exceptional trade expansion in selected developing countries

Over the last fifteen years, the outstanding high trade growth recorded by a selected number of developing countries can be partly attributed to the expansion of their "processing trade". Beside multilateral and regional trade liberalization, an increasing number of countries have modified their import regime by granting, under certain conditions, duty-free access to those imports which are bound for the processing and assembling of goods destined for exports. This preferential tariff treatment was initially limited to trade which went through specific areas (e.g. the Special Economic Zones in China or the maquiladoras zones in Mexico) but often extended thereafter to companies located outside these specifically designated areas. While the number of export processing zones has risen to about 850, their success in expanding employment and trade is mixed. In several countries employment in these zones rose sharply and trade was growing rapidly while in many other countries the creation of special zones granting tariff preferences to processing trade had a negligible impact on both trade and employment. In the 1990's the most dynamic processing traders among the developing countries are to be found in Asia and Latin America.

A comprehensive appreciation of the contribution of "processing trade" to the expansion of developing countries' merchandise exports and imports is not attempted here, as the data on processing trade are not as readily available as standard trade statistics. However, the examples given below show that the "processing trade" has gained in importance and often played a crucial part in these countries' overall trade performance. All the eight countries presented in Chart II.4 have recorded an expansion of exports well ahead of the global average in the last decade. Five of them recorded average annual export growth rates around 15 per cent, which is about three times faster than the global trade expansion of 5.5 per cent.

Leading exporters and importers in world merchandise trade (excluding intra-EU trade), 1999


Preferential tariff treatment to "processing trade" is not only a feature of trade regimes in the developing countries. Industrial countries too are often providing duty exemption or reduction on imported goods if these products have been manufactured abroad with materials/components from the importing country. While the value of these imports can be relatively important in bilateral trade flows, their share in total imports is at present rather moderate. For the United States and the European Union the share of imports benefitting from this specific duty exemption amounted to 8 per cent in the US and to 2 per cent in the EU (excluding intra-trade) in 1998. In the United States the share of processing trade in total imports declined markedly as trade with Mexico and Canada became increasingly tariff free with the implementation of NAFTA.

Table II-5
Processing trade and export performance of selected countries, 1990-99
(Billion dollars and percentage)
 Total exportShare ofValue of
 growthprocessing tradeprocessing exports
Country1990-199919981998
 (percent)(percent)(billion $)
 
Dominican Republic an.a. 82.2 4.1 
Tunisia5.9 67.4 4.0 
China13.5 56.9 104.6 
El Salvadorb16.8 48.6 1.2 
Philippines16.5 40.9 12.1 
Mexico14.4 45.2 53.1 
Morocco6.4 34.7 2.6 
Bangladesh c15.2 13.4 0.7 
Memorandum item:      
World total5.4   
 
a Between 1993 and 1998 exports grew by 9.2% and world exports by 7.7% annually.
b Refers to years 1991-1999.
c Refers to fiscal years.
Source: National Statistics


6. Outlook

Global economic output is expected to accelerate from 3 per cent in 1999 to about 3.5 per cent in 2000. The volume of world merchandise trade growth should reach 6.5 per cent. Higher trade growth is possible, in particular, if the demand in Western Europe and Japan pick up more strongly than currently projected.

In 2000, GDP growth of industrial countries could expand by 3 per cent or one half per cent faster than in 1999 as moderately lower growth in the United States is more than offset by higher growth in Western Europe and Japan. Latin America and the Middle East should see a strong pick-up in their GDP growth after experiencing a stagnation of output in 1999. Higher growth is also projected for the transition and African economies. GDP growth of the Asian developing countries is projected to remain unchanged as the impact of the expansionary fiscal policies and the rebuilding of inventories will be less important in 2000 than in 1999, but offset by a strengthening of fixed investment and private consumption.

More robust growth of the world economy in 2000, together with the carry-over effect due to the trade acceleration in the second half of 1999 is projected to lead to export volume growth of at least 6.5 per cent. Most of this higher growth is expected to come from Western Europe and to a lesser extent from Latin America, the Middle East and the transition economies. North America and the developing countries in Asia, which recorded double digit import growth in 1999, are likely to expand their imports less rapidly in 2000, and the projected deceleration of North America's final demand should lead to less dynamic import growth in 2000.

The projections above assume that the oil price will recede from its US$30 per barrel level in the first quarter back to a range of US$20 to US$25 and that major financial market turbulence - in particular a sudden sharp correction of stock markets and the dollar rate - can be avoided in the remaining months of the year. A sharp correction of the stock markets, together with a marked slowing down of United States demand and imports, could alter the trade forecast significantly. Note, for example, that at nearly 350 billion dollars, the United States merchandise trade deficit in 1999 exceeded the total imports of Japan. A disruptive adjustment of the current external imbalances would imply a major risk to trade growth in the near future.


Appendix Table 1
Leading exporters and importers in world merchandise trade, 1999
(Billion dollars and percentage)
 
 Annual Annual
 percentage percentage
ExportersValueSharechange ImportersValueSharechange
 19981999 19981999
 
United States695.012.4-12 United States1059.918.0512
Germany540.59.660 Germany472.68.060
Japan419.47.5-88 United Kingdom320.75.522
France299.05.35-2 Japan310.75.3-1711
United Kingdom268.44.8-3-2 France286.14.97-1
Canada238.44.2011 Canada220.23.737
Italy230.84.11-5 Italy216.03.730
Netherlands204.13.642 Netherlands188.93.251
China194.93.516 Hong Kong, China181.73.1-12-3
Belgium-Luxembourg184.13.363 retained imports a29.20.5-30-20
      Belgium-Luxembourg169.42.972
 
Hong Kong, China174.83.1-70 China165.72.8-118
domestic exports22.20.4-10-10 Mexico148.22.51413
Korea, Rep. of144.22.6-39 Spain145.02.589
Mexico136.72.4616 Korea, Rep. of119.72.0-3528
Taipei, Chinese121.62.2-910 Taipei, Chinese111.01.9-86
Singapore114.62.0-124 Singapore111.01.9-239
domestic exports68.61.2-138 retained imports a65.01.1-3118
Spain109.42.050 Switzerland80.11.450
Malaysia84.51.5-715 Australia69.01.2-27
Sweden84.51.520 Sweden68.21.240
Switzerland80.61.442 Austria67.81.250
Russian Fed. b74.31.3-160      
 
Ireland69.61.2208 Malaysia65.51.1-2612
Austria62.01.17-1 Brazil51.80.9-7-15
Thailand58.41.0-57 Thailand50.60.9-3218
Australia56.11.0-110 Ireland45.60.8142
Saudi Arabia50.50.9-3527 Poland44.80.811-5
Indonesia48.50.9-9-1 India44.60.834
Brazil48.00.9-4-6 Denmark43.30.74-6
Denmark47.80.9-1-1 Russian Fed. b41.10.7-20-30
Norway44.90.8-1813 Turkey39.20.7-5-15
Finland41.50.76-4 Portugal37.60.652
 
Total of above c4927.087.8-- Total of above c4976.084.7--
World c5610.0100.0-23 World c5875.0100.0-14
 
a Retained imports are defined as imports less re-exports.
b Includes trade with the Baltic States and the CIS.
c Includes significant re-exports or imports for re-export.

Appendix Table 2

(Billion dollars and percentage)
 
 Annual Annual
 percentage percentage
ExportersValueSharechange ImportersValueSharechange
 19981999 19981999
 
European Union(15)798.618.90-1 United States1059.923.6512
United States695.016.4-12 European Union (15)851.218.963
Japan419.49.9-88 Japan310.76.9-1711
Canada238.45.6011 Canada220.24.937
China194.94.616 Hong Kong, China181.74.0-12-3
Hong Kong, China174.84.1-70 retained imports a29.20.6-30-20
domestic exports22.20.5-10-10 China165.73.7-118
Korea, Rep. of144.23.4-39 Mexico148.23.31413
Mexico136.73.2616 Korea, Rep. of119.72.7-3528
Taipei, Chinese121.62.9-910 Taipei, Chinese111.02.5-86
Singapore114.62.7-124 Singapore111.02.5-239
domestic exports68.61.6-138 retained imports a65.01.4-3118
 
Malaysia84.52.0-715 Switzerland80.11.850
Switzerland80.61.942 Australia69.01.5-27
Russian Fed. b74.31.8-160 Malaysia65.51.5-3512
Thailand58.41.4-57 Brazil51.81.2-7-15
Australia56.11.3-110 Thailand50.61.1-3218
Saudi Arabia50.51.2-3527 Poland44.81.011-5
Indonesia48.51.1-9-1 India44.61.034
Brazil48.01.1-4-6 Russian Fed. b41.10.9-20-30
Norway44.91.1-1813 Turkey39.20.9-5-15
India36.50.9-49 Norway33.80.81-7
 
Philippines35.00.81819 Israel33.20.7-513
United Arab Emirates29.50.7-1315 Philippines32.60.7-184
Czech Rep.26.80.6162 Saudi Arabia30.00.740
Poland26.80.610-5 United Arab Emirates28.90.6-96
South Africa c26.70.6-91 Czech Rep. d28.90.660
Turkey26.20.63-3 Hungary27.70.6218
Israel25.30.6210 South Africa c26.80.6-9-8
Hungary24.60.6207 Argentina25.50.63-19
Argentina23.30.60-12 Indonesia23.90.5-34-13
Venezuela18.90.4-2110 Egypt16.20.4220
 
Total of above e3884.091.8- - Total of above e4073.090.7--
World (excl. intra-EU trade) e4232.0100.0-44 World (excl. intra-EU trade) e4494.0100.0-35
 
a Retained imports are defined as imports less re-exports.
b Includes trade with the Baltic States and the CIS.
c Beginning 1998, figures refer to South Africa and no longer to the South African Common Customs Area.
d Imports are valued f.o.b.
e Includes significant re-exports or imports for re-export.

Appendix Table 3
Leading exporters and importers in world trade in commercial services, 1999
(Billion dollars and percentage)
         
   Annual    Annual
   percentage    percentage
ExportersValueSharechange ImportersValueSharechange
   19981999    19981999
           
United States251.718.825 United States182.313.7810
United Kingdom101.47.672 Germany127.29.532
France79.35.95-6 Japan113.98.5-93
Germany76.85.73-3 United Kingdom81.46.1114
Italy64.54.80-3 Italy62.74.770
Japan59.84.5-9-3 France59.24.45-9
Spain54.14.01211 Netherlands46.53.540
Netherlands53.14.033 Canada37.12.8-45
Belgium-Luxembourg37.62.864 Belgium-Luxembourg35.52.684
Hong Kong, China35.42.6-103 China32.12.4-4
           
Austria32.62.493 Spain30.92.31312
Canada32.42.427 Austria29.52.26-2
Switzerland27.22.055 Korea, Rep. of26.72.0-1914
China26.62.0-2 Ireland23.51.83218
Korea, Rep. of25.01.9-65 Taipei, Chinese23.21.7-40
Singapore22.91.7-4025 Sweden22.81.7115
Sweden18.01.312 Hong Kong, China22.41.7-2-2
Australia17.21.3-139 Singapore19.31.4-78
Denmark16.01.268 Australia18.01.3-86
Turkey16.01.221-31 India17.31.31622
           
Taipei, Chinese14.81.1-2-11 Denmark16.21.2135
Thailand14.11.1-168 Switzerland15.71.283
Norway13.71.0-3-2 Norway15.41.242
India13.21.02419 Thailand13.91.0-3117
Mexico11.60.96-3 Mexico13.71.079
Malaysia10.80.8-24 Malaysia13.01.0-24
Greece10.50.86 Indonesia12.70.9-288
Israel10.30.8814 Russian Fed.11.70.9-14-27
Poland9.80.721-10 Brazil11.60.99-26
Russian Fed.9.70.7-9-25 Israel10.70.8512
           
Total of above1165.087.1-- Total of above1145.085.9--
World1340.0100.00.01.5 World1335.0100.00.52.5

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Accord en vigueur immédiatement
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Gênes
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Des commandes d'une valeur totale d'environ 461 millions de dollars
Conférence « Attentes et retards dans le transport routier : la logistique sous contrôle »
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GNV a inauguré un nouveau bureau à Barcelone
Barcelone
L'entreprise compte actuellement 52 employés dans toute l'Espagne.
Port de Trieste : financement de l'UE pour deux nouveaux projets
Trieste
Des ressources d'une valeur totale de 1,7 million d'euros
Filt Cgil, l'incident de la flottille est grave. Les dockers sont prêts à se mobiliser.
Rome
L'Union annonce des mesures si l'aide n'est pas autorisée à atteindre Gaza
LES DÉPARTS
Visual Sailing List
Départ
Destination:
- liste alphabétique
- liste des nations
- zones géographiques
Au cours des huit premiers mois de 2025, le trafic de conteneurs dans le port de Gioia Tauro a augmenté de +10,6%
Gioia Tauro
2 912 943 EVP ont été traités
Stena Line rachète l'opérateur portuaire letton Terrabalt
Göteborg
Elle gère le matériel roulant, le fret en vrac et le trafic de marchandises générales dans le port de Liepaja.
Meyer Turku commence la construction du quatrième navire de croisière de classe « Icon » de Royal Caribbean
Miami/Turku
Il sera livré en 2027
Plus d'un transport maritime sur dix présente des pénuries
Washington
C'est ce que révèle un rapport du World Shipping Council, soulignant les risques pour la sécurité
En juillet dernier, le trafic dans le port de Ravenne a augmenté de +3,8%
Ravenne
Au cours des sept premiers mois de 2025, la croissance a été de +5,4%
Au premier trimestre 2025, le trafic de marchandises dans les ports belges a diminué de -3,2%.
Bruxelles
Débarquements en baisse de 1,3% et embarquements en baisse de 5,4%
Le pétrolier High Fidelity sauve 38 migrants sur un canot à la dérive
Rome
Intervention dans le sud de l'île de Crète
GES et RINA conviennent de développer un prototype de batterie à hydrogène
Rovereto/Gênes
Inauguration de la deuxième phase du terminal à conteneurs de PSA au port de Mumbai
Singapour
La capacité de trafic annuelle augmentera à 4,8 millions d'EVP
La conférence « EU ETS - Perspectives et opportunités pour la décarbonisation dans le secteur maritime » se tiendra à Palerme.
Rome
Il aura lieu les 18 et 19 septembre
Fincantieri et PGZ signent un accord pour soutenir la modernisation de la marine polonaise
Trieste
Le troisième tronçon LSS des Chantiers de l'Atlantique a été lancé à Castellammare di Stabia.
Aux États-Unis, le financement des projets de développement de l’énergie éolienne dans les ports est réduit.
Washington
Des ressources d'une valeur de 679 millions de dollars seront réaffectées à la modernisation des infrastructures portuaires
À partir du 1er janvier, Kombiverkehr exploitera le terminal intermodal PKV dans le port de Duisbourg.
Francfort-sur-le-Main
Sa capacité de trafic est d’environ 200 000 unités intermodales par an.
Wallenius Marine et ABB forment une coentreprise à l'étranger
Stockholm
L’objectif est d’accélérer le lancement de la plateforme du même nom pour améliorer les performances de la flotte.
DHL eCommerce a acquis une participation minoritaire dans AJEX Logistics Services en Arabie saoudite.
Bonn/Riyad
L'entreprise du Moyen-Orient compte deux mille employés
Le Ministère des Infrastructures et des Transports a demandé à la Région d'approuver la nomination de Bagalà comme président de l'Autorité Portuaire Sarde.
Rome
Il est actuellement commissaire extraordinaire du même organisme.
Les terminaux portuaires de CMPort ont traité un trafic record de conteneurs au deuxième trimestre
Hong Kong
Au cours des six premiers mois de 2025, le total était de 78,8 millions d'EVP (+4,3%)
Confitarma approuve le décret sur la formation avancée des marins pétroliers.
Rome
Applaudissements au commandement général du Corps des autorités portuaires
Le trafic trimestriel de fret dans les ports marocains augmente
Tanger/Casablanca
A Tanger Med la croissance a été de +17%
Le conseil d'administration de l'Ente Bacini de Gênes a été renouvelé.
Gênes
Le président Alessandro Arvigo et le PDG Maurizio Anselmo
Au deuxième trimestre, les ventes de conteneurs secs produits par CIMC ont chuté de -33%.
Hong Kong
Les bateaux frigorifiques augmentent de 57 %
Le Groupe Grimaldi a pris livraison du Grande Shanghai
Naples
Il sera utilisé pour le transport de véhicules entre l'Asie de l'Est et l'Europe du Nord
L'ART invite à vérifier que le plan d'investissement et la durée d'amortissement y afférente sont cohérents avec la durée des concessions portuaires.
Turin
Le constructeur automobile chinois FAW expédie des composants vers l'Europe par train
Changchun
Temps de transit réduit à 18 jours contre 45 jours pour le transport maritime
Les actifs et la flotte de la compagnie espagnole Armas Trasmediterránea seront vendus à Baleària et DFDS
Las Palmas/Dénia/Copenhague
Deux accords d'une valeur respective de 215 millions d'euros et de 40 millions d'euros ont été signés.
Les Chemins de fer italiens (FS) investissent 70 millions d'euros pour installer le système ERTMS.
Rome
Les travaux ont été achevés sur 382 trains Trenitalia, tandis que la modernisation de 60 locomotives de Mercitalia Rail, une société FS Logistix, est en cours.
Le chiffre d'affaires trimestriel de MPC Container Ships renoue avec la croissance
Le deuxième trimestre 2025 s'est clôturé avec un bénéfice net de 78,1 millions de dollars (+20,5%)
Projet de construction de deux zones douanières pour conteneurs au nord et au sud du canal de Suez
Caire
Quatorze des 48 épaves abandonnées dans le port de Catane ont été retirées.
Catane
L'activité sera reproduite dans le port d'Augusta
Le Tribunal administratif régional (TAR) a confirmé la validité de l'appel d'offres pour le nouveau terminal de Ravano dans le port de La Spezia.
La Spezia
Les terminaux portuaires de DP World ont enregistré un trafic trimestriel record de conteneurs
Dubaï
Les revenus ont augmenté de 22,2 % au premier semestre 2025
Au cours du trimestre avril-juin, le volume de matériel roulant transporté par Höegh Autoliners a augmenté de +9,0 %
Oslo
Forte hausse (+46,6%) des véhicules en provenance d'Asie
Le constructeur sud-coréen HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering acquiert le vietnamien Doosan Energy
Seongnam
Elle gère une zone industrielle avec sa propre installation portuaire
Le trafic de conteneurs dans le port d'Algésiras a augmenté de 6,6% en juillet
Algésiras
Au cours des sept premiers mois de 2025, une baisse de -2,9% a été enregistrée
En juillet, le port de Valence a traité 488 000 conteneurs (+6,7%)
Valence
Augmentation tirée par la croissance des conteneurs vides
Salvini a nommé Annalisa Tardino commissaire extraordinaire de l'Autorité portuaire maritime de Sicile occidentale.
Rome/Palerme
Le président de la région sicilienne annonce le recours contre la disposition
Les matériaux dragués dans les ports de La Spezia et de Carrare seront utilisés pour la construction du nouveau brise-lames de Gênes.
Gênes/La Spezia
Accord entre les deux autorités du système portuaire ligure
X-Press Feeders dénonce l'incapacité des autorités à reconnaître leur responsabilité dans l'accident du X-Press Pearl
Singapour
Selon l'entreprise, la décision de la Cour suprême ignore le droit maritime international
Le trafic de conteneurs dans le port de Hong Kong a diminué de -6,5% en juillet
Hong Kong
Une baisse de -3,7% a été enregistrée au cours des sept premiers mois de 2025
Le trafic de marchandises dans les ports russes est resté stable en juillet
Saint-Pétersbourg
Au cours des sept premiers mois de 2025, les charges ont diminué de -4,6 %
En juillet, le port de Singapour a établi un nouveau record historique de trafic mensuel de conteneurs avec 3,9 millions d'EVP.
Singapour
En termes de poids, le fret conteneurisé a diminué de -3,6%
L'indemnisation à verser par l'Autorité portuaire de Civitavecchia dans l'affaire Fincosit a été fixée à 1,5 million d'euros.
Civitavecchia
Latrofa : La décision permet de débloquer les sommes mises de côté qui ont gelé le budget pendant des années.
L'entreprise allemande HHLA enregistre un chiffre d'affaires trimestriel record
Hambourg
Au deuxième trimestre, les terminaux portuaires du groupe ont traité 3,2 millions de conteneurs (+7,9%)
Au premier semestre 2025, les terminaux portuaires de CK Hutchison ont traité 44 millions de conteneurs (+4,0%)
Hong Kong
Au cours du trimestre avril-juin, la flotte Wallenius Wilhelmsen a transporté 14,8 millions de mètres cubes de matériel roulant (-0,5%)
Lysaker
Chiffre d'affaires en baisse de -0,7%
Au deuxième trimestre, les ports du Monténégro ont traité 670 000 tonnes de marchandises (+0,6%)
Podgorica
Les volumes avec l'Italie se sont élevés à 154 000 tonnes (+53,1%)
PORTS
Ports Italiens:
Ancône Gênes Ravenne
Augusta Gioia Tauro Salerne
Bari La Spezia Savone
Brindisi Livourne Taranto
Cagliari Naples Trapani
Carrara Palerme Trieste
Civitavecchia Piombino Venise
Interports Italiens: liste Ports du Monde: Carte
BANQUE DES DONNÉES
Armateurs Réparateurs et Constructeurs de Navires
Transitaires Fournisseurs de Navires
Agences Maritimes Transporteurs routiers
MEETINGS
Conférence « Attentes et retards dans le transport routier : la logistique sous contrôle »
Gênes
Organisé par Trasportounito, il se tiendra le 26 septembre à Gênes
La conférence « EU ETS - Perspectives et opportunités pour la décarbonisation dans le secteur maritime » se tiendra à Palerme.
Rome
Il aura lieu les 18 et 19 septembre
››› Archives
REVUE DE LA PRESSE
Korean Firms Reassess U.S. Investments After Mass Immigration Raid
(The Korea Bizwire)
Russia's infrastructure development plan aims to build 17 marine terminals by 2036
(Interfax)
››› Index Revue de la Presse
FORUM des opérateurs maritimes
et de la logistique
Intervento del presidente Tomaso Cognolato
Roma, 19 giugno 2025
››› Archives
Avec l'arrivée du premier porte-conteneurs, les tests des procédures opérationnelles à la porte de Rijeka commencent.
La Haye
Le premier navire commercial est attendu le 12 septembre
Une proposition visant à réintégrer le port de Tarente sur les routes internationales de transport de conteneurs ? Organisez une discussion.
Tarente
Réunion sur l'état du trafic de marchandises
Port d'Ancône : Appel d'offres pour la démolition des entrepôts Tubimar endommagés par un incendie
Ancône
La durée prévue des travaux est de quatre mois et demi
Fusion des allemands MACS et Hugo Stinnes, tous deux actifs dans le segment des navires MPP
Hambourg/Rostock
Le siège social de Stinnes à Rostock fermera d'ici le 31 décembre
Au deuxième trimestre, le trafic de fret dans les ports albanais a augmenté de +2,9%
Tirana
Il y avait 331 mille passagers (+13,6%)
A.SPE.DO, opérationnalise le Smart Terminal pour augmenter la compétitivité du port de La Spezia.
La Spezia
ING prête plus de 100 millions de dollars à Premuda
Milan
Fonds pour le rachat par la direction et l'achat de deux pétroliers
Sallaum Lines a pris livraison du premier de six PCTC à double carburant de classe Ocean
Rotterdam
Le navire a été achevé quatre mois plus tôt que prévu
Première réunion du nouveau comité de gestion de l'autorité portuaire de la mer Ligure occidentale
Gênes
Plusieurs mesures approuvées, notamment celles pour le personnel du CULMV et du CULP
Euroports va exploiter un nouveau terminal de vrac liquide dans le port français de Port-La Nouvelle
Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht
Il devrait être opérationnel en 2026
Au deuxième trimestre, le trafic de fret dans le port de Ravenne a augmenté de +2,6%
Ravenne
Une croissance de 0,6 % a été enregistrée en juin. Une hausse de 4,8 % est attendue en juillet.
OsserMare présente cinq rapports sur l'économie maritime
Rome
Ils se concentrent sur un secteur spécifique de la chaîne d'approvisionnement ou sur un aspect de celle-ci
Port de Naples : reprise des opérations de transport routier
Naples
Réunion de résolution entre institutions, opérateurs et associations professionnelles
ICTSI annonce à nouveau des résultats financiers et opérationnels trimestriels records
Manille
Global Ship Lease annonce un chiffre d'affaires trimestriel record
Athènes
Au cours de la période avril-juin, le bénéfice net s'est élevé à 95,4 millions de dollars (+8,4%)
Vard reçoit une nouvelle commande de North Star pour deux SOV hybrides
Trieste
Un contrat d'une valeur comprise entre 100 et 200 millions d'euros
Le registre maritime du Panama n'acceptera plus l'enregistrement des pétroliers et des vraquiers de plus de 15 ans.
Panama
Mesure visant à contrer l'utilisation de la flotte fantôme
Danaos Corporation annonce un chiffre d'affaires trimestriel record
Athènes
La période avril-juin s'est clôturée avec un bénéfice net de 130,9 millions (-7,3%)
Nouveau corridor douanier rapide entre le port de La Spezia et Interporto Padova
Padoue
Il s'ajoute aux trois autres déjà actifs sur le même itinéraire
ICTSI exploitera le terminal à conteneurs de Batu Ampar en Indonésie
Manille
Il est situé sur l'île de Batam
Pino Musolino a été nommé PDG de la compagnie maritime Alilauro.
Naples
Il remplace Eliseo Cuccaro, démissionnaire.
Au deuxième trimestre, les revenus d'affrètement à temps de DIS ont chuté de -37,1%.
Luxembourg
Le bénéfice net s'est élevé à 19,6 millions de dollars (-70,5 %)
Wista Italie dénonce l'exclusion des femmes des nominations aux postes de présidents des autorités portuaires.
Milan
Musso : Le plafond de verre qui empêche les femmes d’accéder à des rôles de leadership demeure.
Le groupe Austrian Rail Cargo se concentre sur le développement du terminal intermodal Sommacampagna-Sona.
Vienne
Accord de dix ans
Au deuxième trimestre, le trafic maritime dans le détroit du Bosphore a diminué de -6,0%
Ankara
Baisse de 18,1 % des navires de plus de 200 mètres de longueur
Cinquante kilos de cocaïne saisis au port de Civitavecchia
Rome
Ils étaient cachés à l'intérieur d'un conteneur frigorifique en provenance d'Équateur
Trump a supprimé les exemptions tarifaires pour les produits à bas prix pour toutes les nations.
Washington
Les marchandises d’une valeur inférieure à 800 $ seront également soumises à la taxe.
Le Viking Mira a été lancé au chantier naval Fincantieri d'Ancône
Trieste
La frégate multirôle « Emilio Bianchi » a été livrée au chantier naval de Muggiano
L'Autorité portuaire de la mer Adriatique centre-nord a obtenu l'enregistrement EMAS
Ravenne
Certifie l'engagement en matière de gestion environnementale et de durabilité
MSC Croisières réduit ses émissions grâce à un plan de transition énergétique
Genève
Le rapport de développement durable 2024 a été présenté
DSV enregistre une forte croissance de ses résultats financiers et opérationnels grâce à l'acquisition de Schenker
Hedehusene
Record trimestriel des volumes d'expéditions aériennes et maritimes
En 2024, le chiffre d'affaires du groupe Fratelli Cosulich a augmenté de +12,8%
Gênes
Résultat d'exploitation en baisse de -31,7%
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Gênes - ITALIE
tél.: +39.010.2462122, fax: +39.010.2516768, e-mail
Numéro de TVA: 03532950106
Presse engistrement: 33/96 Tribunal de Gênes
Direction: Bruno Bellio
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