Transport maritime

Aperçus des données

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Maritime transport is the lifeblood of global trade, facilitating the movement of goods across oceans and connecting economies worldwide. As the most cost-effective and efficient mode of transport for large-scale cargo, the maritime industry plays a pivotal role in sustaining global commerce. This collection of thematic insights explores key aspects of maritime transport, providing a detailed look at its vital components.

Slowdown in world container port throughput in 2022 and 2023

World container port throughput, millions of twenty-foot equivalent units

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

In 2023, 858 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers were handled in ports worldwide. In both 2022 and 2023, world container port throughput increased by about half a per cent. This is the slowest growth for more than a decade, except for the year of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020. The long-term trend shows growth, and over the last decade, world container port throughput increased by 33%, up from 641 million TEUs in 2013. The added 217 million TEUs equals more than all container traffic in developed economies in 2013.

Data updated on 24 Mar 2025

In 2023, ports in developing economies of Asia handled the majority of world port container traffic

Containerized port traffic by group of economies, millions of twenty-foot equivalent units, 2023

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

Asia’s prominent contribution to global containerized port throughput reflects the region’s leading role as a global loading and discharging centre for maritime trade and its top position as the best-connected region, whether at port or country level. In 2023, ports in developing economies of Asia handled 61% of world port container traffic. Less than 0.1% was handled in Developing Oceania. The shares of Developing America and Developing Africa were significantly lower, at 7% and 5%, respectively.

Data updated on 24 Mar 2025

Metadonnées

Port container traffic is measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). One TEU represents the volume of a standard 20-feet long intermodal container. Full metadata are available in our Data Centre for Container port throughput. 

For in-depth analysis on port performance and related topics see the Review of Maritime Transport.

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