Trade Policy Priorities for Maritime Transport Services

Background

International transport services play a key role in the global economy and are expected to grow significantly as globalization pushes ahead. Maritime transport is a core pillar of the industry. Almost 90% of the world’s traded goods are moved on ships and the sector employs roughly 1.5 million seafarers. As of 2017, 70% of all ships owned by the 35 largest ship owner nations were registered under foreign or international flag, making cross-border trade an intrinsic feature. Being an important emitter of greenhouse gases and faced with rapid digitalization, the sector finds itself under increasing pressure to adapt to a challenging environment. This roundtable investigated ways in which services trade policy can support this process.

The roundtable is part of a series of CEP roundtables focusing each on a particular sector and seeking to explore trade policy priorities that strengthen the alignment of services trade with sustainable development objectives.

Speakers

Luisa Rodriguez
Economic Affairs Officer, Trade Logistics Division
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Helio Vicente
Senior Policy Adviser
International Chamber of Shipping

Ruosi Zhang
Counsellor, Services Trade Division
World Trade Organization

Johannes Schwarzer (Moderator)
Fellow
Council on Economic Policies