Environment and related trade

Data insights

The intersection of international trade and environmental sustainability has become increasingly important in shaping global economic policies. This collection of thematic insights explores key areas where trade and the environment intersect, shedding light on the dynamics of environmentally related trade.

Trade in ocean goods and services reached $2.5 trillion in 2025

World ocean goods and services exports, billions of dollars, 2025

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat Ocean goods: Bilateral trade by product group and UNCTADstat Ocean services: Trade.

Trade in goods is measured as cross-border international merchandise trade, while trade in services is measured on a balance-of-payments conceptual basis. Certain transactions may therefore be included in both goods and services trade.
* Oil and gas extracted offshore are not considered.

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In 2025, international trade in ocean goods amounted to $1.03 trillion and ocean services $1.43 trillion, bringing total ocean trade to around $2.5 trillion in total. 

International marine and coastal tourism accounted for 32% of total trade in ocean goods and services andmaritime freight transport accounted for 20%. Substantial shares of ocean trade were also accounted for by ships and port equipment (17%) and high-technology and other manufactures (16%). The latter sector comprises ocean products used in fishing, pharmaceuticals, marine sports, clean energy and electrical equipment.

Data updated on 18 Sep 2026

Global trade in ocean services up 5% in 2025

World ocean services exports, billions of dollars

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

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In 2025, global exports of ocean-related services grew by 5%, with the strongest growth recorded in Africa (+16%). Exports of marine and coastal tourism increased by 8%, exports of maritime passenger transport by 7%, whereas international sales of freight services remained at the level of 2024. Exports of port services, related infrastructure and logistical services were some 4% higher in 2025 than in the previous year.

By 2024, international marine and coastal tourism fully recovered from its substantive drop (-70%) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Data updated on 18 Sep 2026

Trade in ocean goods reached $1 trillion in 2025 - up by 8% in one year

World ocean goods exports, billions of dollars

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

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International trade in ocean goods reached $1 trillion in 2025, 7.8% higher than in 2024. The most dynamic sectors were ships and port equipment (+8.4%), marine fisheries and aquaculture (+7.9%) and sea minerals (+7.8%).

Manufactured products accounted for 79% of global ocean goods trade, notably ships and port equipment as well as high-technology and other manufactures, such as marine-based pharmaceuticals, sport equipment, precision instruments, integrated circuits and clean energy machinery. 

Data updated on 8 Jun 2026

Metadata

The trade in ocean goods and services databases draw on UN Comtrade data following the development of a UNCTAD ocean trade classification. As HS codes do not distinguish between land-based and ocean-based activities, coefficients were developed when necessary, to isolate the share of ocean-based activities, based on extensive desk research on countries and sectors. 
The ocean trade classification is available to download here: Towards a harmonized international trade classification for the development of sustainable ocean-based economies | UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Metadata are available on our Data Centre (Ocean trade - Methodological note) and for each ocean trade table.

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