The three routes on the major East–West trade lane, specifically the trans-Pacific, Asia–Europe

and the transatlantic, bring together three main economic regions, namely Asia (in particular

China)

Asia remained the main loading and unloading area in 2013 with its share of imports (unloading) being particularly

dominant

Dry cargo flows (dry commodities carried in bulk, general cargo, breakbulk and

containerized trade) account for the largest share (70.2 per cent), followed by tanker trade

(crude oil, petroleum product and gas)

Growth in GDP, merchandise trade and seaborne shipments are interlinked and

continue to move in tandem

Three main regions concentrate North-North flows of goods. Asia share is growing. Africa, Latinamerica, CIS and Middle East are “resource-drive” marginal regions but increasing

Geography of International Trade, Maritime Transport and Climate Change in XXI Century

A Descriptive Basis for Multilateral Action from a South Perspective Dr. Elda Tancredi

Epistemic Networks Research Programme Social Sciences Department National University of Lujan

ARGENTINA eldatancredi1@gmail.com

2- TRENDS OF SEABORNE TRADE International shipping plays a vital role in the facilitation of world trade as the most cost-effective and energy-efficient mode of mass transport

1- TRENDS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

3- TRANSPORT IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE TRENDS (by IPCC AR5)

INTERNATIONAL & COASTAL SHIPPING 9,26% of total transport sector emissions but

growing

MAIN FINDINGS 1- Seaborne Transport impact on climate change by GHG emissions is growing, but in terms of CO2 emissions/ transported the marine transport is the more effective one

2- Seaborne Transport importance on international trade is growing (90% of the world trade is carried out by maritime mean) 3- North-North trade is important besides South-South growing share

4- World´s largest ports and main trade maritime routes are in North hemisphere (Trans-Pacific, Asia–Europe and Transatlantic East–West trade lane) 5- Latin American countries have marginal but increasing importance on international trade of goods and seaborne trade:

a) COMMON BUT DIFFERED RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES b) Active co-operating among Parties is needed, subject to its national laws, regulations and policies, to promote sustainable development and to transfer of technology and exchange of information to States which

request technical assistance, particularly developing States, for a safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans (FCCC/SBSTA/2014/MISC.9)

International Maritime Organization –IMO- a) was established by Governments as a specialized agency

under the United Nations to provide the machinery for intergovernmental cooperation in the field of regulation of ships engaged in international trade.

b) is responsible for the global regulation of all aspects of international shipping and has a key role In ensuring that lives at sea are not put at risk, including security of shipping, and that the environment is not polluted by ships’ operations

c) as summed up in IMO’s mission statement: Safe, Secure and Efficient shipping on clean oceans.

Third IMO GHG Study 2014 provides updated estimates for GHG emissions from ships:

a) International shipping emitted 796 million tonnes of CO2 in 2012, which accounts for no more than about 2.2% of the total emission volume for that year. By contrast, in 2007, before the global economic downturn, international shipping is estimated to have emitted 885 million tonnes of CO2 which represented 2.8% of the global emissions of CO2 for that year.

b) forecast a growth in CO2 emissions for international maritime transport of between 50% to 250% in the period up to 2050

c) These percentages are all the more significant when considering that shipping is the principal carrier of world trade, carrying as much as 90% by volume and therefore providing a vital service to global economic development and prosperity.

Source: https://greginsd.wordpress.com