Seaborne trade to surpass 2019 levels this year - Clarksons

Seaborne cargo trade is on track to grow 4.2% this year compared to 2020, wiping out the contraction last year during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Clarkson Research Services. 

The shipbroker estimates that global seaborne trade fell 3.6% in 2020 to 11.5 billion mt.

But tonnage will hit 12 billion mt this year, leaving it 0.5% higher than 2019 levels, said the company.

The International Monetary Fund has forecast that the global economy will grow by 5.5% this year, following the 3.5% contraction last year.