Since the downturn of 2009, when it slumped by 4%, world seaborne trade has grown by 38%, adding an extra 3.2 billion tonnes, but has the extra ‘weight’ been put on?
The wide spectrum of seaborne trade is well known, with a range of cargo types contributing to a projected 11.5 billion tonnes this year. Crude oil and oil products account for 27% of the total, dry bulk for 44% and containers for 16%.
Clarksons Research said that changes to the cargo shares over time were gradual, and by contrasting the share of the growth in tonnes since 2009 with the actual share of trade this year, there is quite a difference.
