Home » BTS Publications » Maritime Trade and Transportation » 2002 »

Table 1-1 Global Trade Growth v. Fleet Growth

Table 1-1
Global Trade Growth v. Fleet Growth

Excel | CSV

  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Compound annual growth 1996-00
Trade (million metric tons)            
Dry bulka 1,816 1,901 1,871 1,867 1,987 2.3
Tanker 2,022 2,112 2,146 2,131 2,216 2.3
General cargo 1,182 1,260 1,313 1,356 1,429 5.0
Container 462 503 529 583 641 9.0
Other general cargo 720 757 784 773 788 2.3
Total 5,020 5,273 5,330 5,354 5,632 3.0
Fleet (million deadweight tonsb)            
Dry bulka 243 253 264 264 267 2.4
Tanker 287 291 296 303 307 1.7
General cargo 107 109 114 119 122 3.3
Container 45 50 57 62 65 9.6
Other general cargo 62 59 57 57 57 -2.1
Total 637 653 674 686 696 2.2

aIron ore, coal, grain, bauxite/aluminum, phosphorus rock and minor bulk.

bCargo carrying capacity of a ship when immersed to the appropriate load line, measured in metric tons.

SOURCE: Clarkson Shipping Review & Outlook, spring 2000.

  • Between 1996 and 2000, global trade growth (metric tons) exceeded global fleet growth (deadweight tons). The apparent improvement in fleet productivity reflects an acceleration in delivery of newly built ships, which are more productive than the vessels they replace, and the increasing use of dedicated car carriers and Roll on/Roll off vessels.