GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Global Shipping Industry Statistics

The global shipping industry includes over 50,000 merchant ships transporting approximately 90% of the world's goods by volume.

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Highlights: Global Shipping Industry Statistics

  • Global container shipping handled 152 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2019.
  • About 6% of global oil supply is consumed by the shipping industry.
  • As per IMO, International shipping accounts for about 2.2% of the world’s CO2 emissions.
  • There are about 1.6 million seafarers worldwide whose efforts give continuity to the global shipping industry.
  • About 60% of all goods traded globally are shipped by container.
  • Dry cargo makes about 42.4% of the global shipping fleet.
  • Dry bulk vessels account for more than 40 percent of the global shipping industry's total CO2 emissions.
  • The global INMEX SMM India port and the Maritime sector is projected to reach US$ 28.8 Bn by 2025.
  • Over 12 million people are engaged in fisheries and aquaculture with millions more reliant on the sector.

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The Latest Global Shipping Industry Statistics Explained

Global container shipping handled 152 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2019.

The statistic “Global container shipping handled 152 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2019” indicates the total volume of shipping containers, measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), that were transported worldwide in the year 2019. This metric provides valuable insights into the scale and magnitude of global trade activities, as container shipping is a crucial component of international trade logistics. The figure of 152 million TEU highlights the extensive interconnectedness of the global economy through maritime transportation, showcasing the large volume of goods being exchanged across continents and the significant role that container shipping plays in facilitating this exchange.

About 6% of global oil supply is consumed by the shipping industry.

The statistic that about 6% of global oil supply is consumed by the shipping industry highlights the significant role of maritime transportation in the global economy. Ships rely heavily on fossil fuels to power their operations, and this consumption contributes to the overall demand for oil worldwide. The shipping industry plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade by transporting goods across oceans, making it a vital component of our interconnected global supply chain. Understanding the sizable energy consumption of the shipping industry emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and innovations to mitigate environmental impacts and reduce dependence on finite fossil fuel resources.

As per IMO, International shipping accounts for about 2.2% of the world’s CO2 emissions.

The statistic provided indicates that international shipping is responsible for approximately 2.2% of the global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This data, sourced from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlights the significant contribution of the shipping industry to the overall greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Given the interconnected nature of international trade and the reliance on maritime transport for the movement of goods across borders, this statistic underscores the importance of addressing emissions from shipping to mitigate climate change. Efforts to regulate and reduce CO2 emissions in the maritime sector, such as implementing fuel-efficient technologies and transitioning to cleaner fuels, are crucial in achieving global climate goals and promoting sustainability within the industry.

There are about 1.6 million seafarers worldwide whose efforts give continuity to the global shipping industry.

The statistic that there are approximately 1.6 million seafarers worldwide highlights the significant role these individuals play in ensuring the continued operation and success of the global shipping industry. Seafarers are essential workers who dedicate their efforts to transporting goods, raw materials, and products across oceans, connecting markets and facilitating international trade. Their work is crucial for maintaining supply chains, supporting economies, and enabling the exchange of goods on a global scale. The sheer number of seafarers underscores the magnitude of their collective contribution to the functioning of the maritime sector, emphasizing their vital role in keeping the global economy moving.

About 60% of all goods traded globally are shipped by container.

The statistic that about 60% of all goods traded globally are shipped by container highlights the significant role that container shipping plays in facilitating international trade. Containers provide a standardized and efficient method for transporting a wide range of goods across various industries, allowing for easier handling, loading, and unloading of cargo. This statistic underscores the widespread adoption and reliance on containerization as a key component of the global supply chain network, contributing to the interconnectedness of economies and the growth of international trade by providing a cost-effective and reliable means of moving goods across long distances.

Dry cargo makes about 42.4% of the global shipping fleet.

The statistic ‘Dry cargo makes about 42.4% of the global shipping fleet’ indicates that nearly half of the ships involved in global shipping activities are dedicated to transporting goods that do not require special handling or storage conditions, such as bulk commodities like grains, ores, and coal. This statistic suggests that dry cargo shipping plays a significant role in the global economy, moving a substantial portion of the world’s traded goods. The high proportion of dry cargo vessels in the shipping fleet highlights the importance of efficient and reliable transportation of basic goods and materials for various industries and supply chains worldwide.

Dry bulk vessels account for more than 40 percent of the global shipping industry’s total CO2 emissions.

The statistic “Dry bulk vessels account for more than 40 percent of the global shipping industry’s total CO2 emissions” indicates that a significant portion of carbon dioxide emissions in the shipping industry comes from dry bulk vessels. These types of vessels are primarily used to transport goods such as coal, iron ore, and grains in large quantities. The high percentage of emissions attributed to dry bulk vessels underscores their substantial contribution to the overall environmental impact of the shipping industry. Addressing emissions from these vessels is crucial in efforts to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and mitigate climate change.

The global INMEX SMM India port and the Maritime sector is projected to reach US$ 28.8 Bn by 2025.

The statistic indicates that the global INMEX SMM India port industry and the maritime sector in India are expected to grow to a value of US$28.8 billion by the year 2025. This projection suggests a significant increase in the economic activity and investments within the Indian port industry and maritime sector. The growth in this sector may be driven by various factors such as increasing trade volumes, infrastructure development, technological advancements, and government initiatives aimed at expanding and modernizing port facilities in India. This statistic underscores the potential for substantial growth and opportunities within the Indian maritime industry in the coming years.

Over 12 million people are engaged in fisheries and aquaculture with millions more reliant on the sector.

The statistic “Over 12 million people are engaged in fisheries and aquaculture with millions more reliant on the sector,” indicates the significant impact that the fisheries and aquaculture industry has on livelihoods worldwide. With over 12 million individuals directly employed in these sectors, it highlights the economic importance of fishing and aquaculture activities. Furthermore, the mention of millions more relying on the sector underscores the indirect employment and support provided by fisheries and aquaculture to individuals involved in related industries such as processing, transportation, and marketing. This statistic emphasizes the widespread reach of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in sustaining livelihoods and economies globally.

Conclusion

Through analyzing the global shipping industry statistics, it is evident that the sector plays a crucial role in facilitating international trade and commerce. Despite facing challenges such as volatile fuel prices and environmental concerns, the industry continues to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving demands of global supply chains. Understanding these statistics is key to making informed decisions in the shipping business and navigating the complexities of the international trade landscape.

References

0. – https://www.www.reutersevents.com

1. – https://www.www.statista.com

2. – https://www.www.eesi.org

3. – https://www.www.fao.org

4. – https://www.www.marketresearchfuture.com

5. – https://www.www.bimco.org

6. – https://www.www.drybulkmagazine.com

7. – https://www.www.ilo.org

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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