SHIPPING’S INDISPENSABLE AND STRATEGIC ROLE

Shipping: The Silent Guardian of International Trade and Global Prosperity

Shipping provides an irreplaceable service for the global economy:

• It carries almost 90% of merchandise trade.
• In 2025, global seaborne trade increased by 1.7% compared to 2024, reaching almost 13 billion tonnes^[1], despite trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions

The bulk/tramp sector accounts for over two thirds of seaborne cargo - with dry bulk trades representing 45.8% and tanker trades 23.3%. Taking also into consideration the distance travelled, the bulk/tramp sector constitutes the largest sector of the maritime transport, accounting for almost 85% of total tonne-miles (Figure 1).

Maritime transport is a pillar of global stability and economic growth.

[1] Clarksons Research, Seaborne Trade Monitor, April 2025