In 2023, global trade by sea is increased by +2.4% on the previous year having amounted to 12.29 billion tons, while growth is expected in 2024 Modest shipping at +2% driven by demand of bulk raw materials such as iron ore, coal and cereals together with containerized goods. The forecast is contained in the "Maritime Transport Report 2024" presented today by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

With regard to containerized maritime traffic only, the report notes that if in 2023 this transport flow is growth of only +0.3%, in 2024 the recovery should be more with an expected increase of +3.5%, even if growth at In the long term, the document notes, it will depend on how the shipping sector will adapt to the current crises, as the war in Ukraine and the increase in geopolitical tensions in Middle East. In addition, the UNCTAD report notes that if in the 2023 the hold capacity of container ships is up +8.2%, the interruptions in progress on primary routes maritime routes, with the consequent lengthening of the routes traveled from ships, have temporarily increased the demand for tonnage helping to alleviate the problem of excess tonnage offer. However, if the disruptions to the routes cease, the imbalance between supply and demand could lead to an excess of container fleet capacity.