Sea freight is a mainstay of international trade, accounting for almost 80% of commercial exchanges by value and 90% by volume. In 2022, 11 billion tonnes of goods transited the seas, confirming stable annual growth of 3 to 4%. This mode of transport, essential not only for containers but also for bulk liquids (such as hydrocarbons) and solids (such as ores and cereals), forms the backbone of global logistics chains.
However, this dependence on sea transport brings with it major environmental challenges. The sector is responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions, a figure that calls for collective action. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is playing a key role in this transition by imposing stricter standards. Since 2022, ships have had to calculate their carbon intensity and improve their energy efficiency to comply with emission reduction targets, with an ambitious target set for 2050: a 50% reduction.
This quest for sustainability also relies on the efficiency of our ports, which are veritable crossroads for international trade. As multimodal hubs, they facilitate the passage of goods to road, rail and river networks. Modernized infrastructures and high-performance logistics solutions are essential to making these exchanges more fluid, while at the same time supporting initiatives to reduce carbon footprints.
At the same time, the shipping industry is going through a period of strategic reorganization. The dissolution of certain alliances, such as 2M, and the emergence of new cooperative ventures, such as the Gemini Cooperation, are reshaping global maritime flows. These changes are aimed at optimizing capacities, reducing costs and meeting growing market demands.
At a time when environmental, economic and logistical challenges are multiplying, sea freight remains at the heart of world trade. Innovation and sustainability will be the essential levers for ensuring this industry’s resilience in the face of tomorrow’s challenges.
