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UNCTAD online dicussion on Role of PPPs in Transport and Trade Facilitation and Issues related to Transit ports and LLDCs
Geneva, 2-17 December 2009

The UNCTAD Virtual Institute and the Division on Technology and Logistics (DTL) has established an online forum to welcome discussion on the abovementioned issues. The key messages of the summary of the online discussion would later be transmitted for further consideration by the UNCTAD Expert Meetings on Public and private partnerships for the development of infrastructure to facilitate trade and transport (8-10 December 2009), and on Transit ports servicing landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) (11 December 2009), in Geneva. 

How to access the forum?

Please follow these steps to create your account and participate in the online discussion:

To participate in the debate it is necessary to create an account and log-in.

1. Fill out the REGISTRATION FORM (http://vi.unctad.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=registers)

2. Log-in with your "user-name" and "password" you’ve just created in (1).

3. In the USER MENU, which is visible below the LOGIN information, click on the "Debates" button.


Whilst you are logged-in, you will have direct access to the E- FORUM


 


UNCTAD one day Ad-Hoc Expert Meeting on Transit Ports Servicing Landlocked Developing Countries
Geneva, 11 December 2009

The purpose of the meeting can be summarised as to look at recent developments that have taken place in transit ports servicing landlocked developing countries trade and potential future actions that could benefit LLDCs. In doing so, the meeting will look at major challenges and best practices with a view to assist UNCTAD Secretariat, through the Division on Technology and Logistics/Trade Logistics Branch analytical and technical assistance work programme, to focus on issues most relevant for LLDCs and transit countries as highlighted by participating experts.

The meeting will take place on 11 December 2009 in room XXVI of the Palais des Nations of the United Nations in Geneva.


For more detail please contact:
Mr. Vincent Valentine
Vincent.Valentine@unctad.org

or

Ms. Eugenia Nuñez
Eugenia.Nunez@unctad.org
 

Quick Links: | UNCTAD Meetings |

Multi-year expert meeting on transport and trade facilitation (second session) focusing on public and private partnerships for the development of infrastructure to facilitate trade and transport.
Geneva, 8-10 December 2009.

The meeting will explore modalities and best practices for PPPs and the role of technology in developing and operating efficient transport infrastructure and services to facilitate international trade and transport in developing countries.

The meeting will take into account the implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action in Land-Locked and Transit Developing Countries as well as specific issues faced by least developed countries and small island developing States.

It will also consider the potential impact of future commitments ensuing from the World Trade Organization negotiations on trade facilitation.

The findings and recommendations of this expert meeting will be reported to the second session of the Trade and Development Commission, to be held 3-7 May 2010.


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GFP Meeting: Regional approaches to Trade and Transport Facilitation
Tunisia, 17-18 November 2009.

Biannual meeting of the Global Facilitation Partnership for Trade and Transport (GFP), will be jointly organized in partnership with the African Development Bank.

The theme of our GFP bi-annual meeting will be “Regional approaches to Trade and Transport Facilitation”. The meeting will thus explore regional integration perspectives in order to raise awareness of the needs at the regional level. There will also be a chance to discuss trade and transport facilitation issues with experts from different organizations as well as the role of private sector and areas of opportunities in participating in the process. Available tools and possible assistance from GFP’s International Governmental Organizations core partners will also be presented. And finally, the meeting will provide practical examples of successful implementation of TF measures.

Attendance at the meeting is by invitation only.
Partners are invited to inform GFP Secretariat of the names of contacts and colleagues they suggest or would like to forward the invitation to.

Please kindly mark your calendars.

The registration form and a draft agenda will be posted shortly at the GFP website More >>
 

Quick Links: | GFP site |

On-line repository on national and regional Trade Facilitation Working Groups
Geneva, 2 July 09.

UNCTAD in collaboration with UNECE launched the on-line repository on national and regional Trade Facilitation Working Groups. The repository offers case studies from countries that have set up an operation national and/or regional coordinating mechanism on trade facilitation.

The repository will be expanded over time. Countries are invited to share their experiences.

Please contact Jan.Hoffmann@unctad.org or Birgit.Viohl@unctad.org

More >>
 

Quick Links: | Repository UN/ECE |
TFWG: Benin | Burkina Faso | Ecuador | Mali | St. Lucia |

Meeting on Implementation of Trade Facilitation Measures - Tools, Approaches and Concerns
Geneva, 3 March 09.

Biannual meeting of the Global Facilitation Partnership for Trade and Transport (GFP), organized by UNCTAD and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The meeting was organizied to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders - including Governments, enterprises, and international and non-governmental organizations - to discuss specific concerns and gain a better understanding of trade facilitation implementation strategies and instruments to increase efficiency in international supply chains.

More >>
 

Quick Links: | Presentations | GFP site |

Climate change must be faced despite global economic crisis, expert meeting on maritime transport stresses
Geneva, 19 February 09.

Over 80% of world trade is carried in seaborne vessels and — while their engines now contribute between 1.6 and 4.1% of global carbon dioxide emissions — their emissions may triple by 2050, said experts at a three-day UNCTAD meeting. More >>
 


Transport Newsletter No. 41, 2008
UNCTAD/WEB/DTL/TLB/2008/2

The year 2008 was marked by record freight costs, followed by a historic slump. Traders and suppliers of transport services can do little to offset such fluctuations. As UNCTAD’s research has shown, policymakers can enhance their countries’ connectivity and trade competitiveness, mostly in the areas of transport infrastructure and trade facilitation, and ensure competition among services suppliers. Most of the policies that can help to improve access to better or less costly transport services are domestic or regional in nature. They often require investments in infrastructure, as well as capacity-building and reforms in the areas of port operations and trade facilitation.

The present issue of UNCTAD’s Quarterly Transport Newsletter includes several articles dealing with shipping issues, notably on our upcoming Expert Meeting on Maritime Transport and the Climate Challenge, the downturn in freight rates and their increasing fluctuation in recent years.

We further report on UNCTAD’s technical cooperation with the Palestinian Shippers Council, a trade facilitation programme in Afghanistan, and a Training of Trainers Workshop for Spanish-speaking Port Communities of Latin America.

In the context of the WTO negotiations on trade facilitation, we report on a recent self-assessment workshop in Colombia and discuss the overall analysis of needs and priorities in the WTO negotiations on trade facilitation. Finally, we report on several new publications and information sources.

For feedback, comments, and suggestions for our next UNCTAD Transport Newsletter (first issue 2009), please contact Jan Hoffmann at jan.hoffmann@unctad.org before March 2009


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Review of Maritime Transport 2008
UNCTAD/RMT/2008

UNCTAD´s Review of Maritime Transport has been published annually since 1968. With more than 80% of international trade in goods being carried by sea, and an even higher percentage for the trade of most developing countries, the Review of Maritime Transport is an important source of information for a broad audience. While the main focus of the Review is on maritime transport, it also contains some information on developments in multimodal transport covering land based transport systems. The Review provides some analysis of structural and cyclical changes affecting trade and transport, especially in developing economies as well as an extensive collection of statistical information on maritime transport and related services, including on:

  • Cargo tonnage loaded in world ports
  • Developments in the world merchant fleet
  • Major events affecting sea transport of bulk and containerised trades
  • Indexes and average freight rates for major traffics and routes
  • Port developments
  • Legal and regulatory developments
  • Review of transport developments by geographical region.

The 2008 edition of the Review covers developments in 2007 and incorporates initial results for 2008. It also supplements long-term statistical series with new data.


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Transport Newsletter No. 40, 2008
UNCTAD/WEB/DTL/TLB/2008/1

UNCTAD’s first Training of Trainers Workshop for English-speaking Port Communities of Asia and Africa took place in Dublin in September and October 2008. Participants came from ports in Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives and Tanzania.

UNCTAD is happy to report again on its annual UNCTAD Liner Shipping Connectivity Index – LSCI 2008, already in its fifth year. Analysing recent trends, we find that the number of ships, the maximum ship size and the total twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) capacity deployed per country have increased since 2004, whilst the number of services and the number of companies as an indicator of competition have decreased.

UNCTAD has supported several national workshops on multimodal transport in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), promoting concepts and benefits of multimodal transport and discussing its influences on carrier liability and standard qualifications required for operators, as well as national strategies to promote multimodal transport.

Building on its long experience in customs modernization and automation, UNCTAD has begun work on the development of the ASYCUDA Single Window System. This System will link customs, other government agencies and the business community in an interactive network that provides a single entry point for the submission and processing of all import, export and transit-related documents and data. Development and implementation of the System involves simplifying trade procedures and processes, standardizing data and documents and connecting all the participants in the international trade transaction.

In further shorter articles, we report on activities and publications of the Committee on Maritime Transport of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), a World Bank book on transport prices and costs in Africa, outcomes of a maritime disasters workshop, SITPRO’s research on the cost of paper in the supply chain, the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) and electronic invoicing, containerized reefer trades, the work of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) on the Single Window, and the regular update on new contracting parties to the international maritime conventions adopted under the auspices of UNCTAD.

For feedback, comments and suggestions for our next UNCTAD Transport Newsletter (fourth issue 2008), please contact Jan Hoffmann at jan.hoffmann@unctad.org before December.


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Transport Newsletter No. 39, 2008
UNCTAD/DTL/TLB/MISC/2008/1

With rising oil prices and their impact on fuel prices and transport costs, analysts are concerned about the potential implications for global trade growth and changing trade patterns; we discuss some of the key issues in an article on “Fuel prices, transport costs and the geography of trade”.

Trade facilitation is the topic of articles on trade facilitation opportunities for landlocked and transit developing countries, a study on the economic impacts of container scanning legislation, the trade facilitation committee of Afghanistan, information and communication technologies for trade facilitation and a single window initiative in Central Asia.

We also report on recent and upcoming meetings and introduce new publications which we believe are of interest to policymakers and practitioners in international transport and trade facilitation.

For feedback, comments, and suggestions for our next UNCTAD Transport Newsletter (third issue 2008), please contact Jan Hoffmann at jan.hoffmann@unctad.org .

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Global Preparatory Meeting on the Mid-Term Review of the Implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action: Trade Facilitation Opportunities for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries
Room XXVI, Palais des Nations, Geneva, 8-9 July 2008.

The purpose of this meeting is to review the recent progress relating to trade facilitation for the benefit of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries. The outcome of the meeting will contribute to further discussions on the review and implementation of the Almaty Plan of Action for the next five years.

UNCTAD member States are invited to nominate experts at an early date, no later than 27 June 2008. Experts may be selected from governmental and non-governmental organizations, private entities or academia.

The meeting will be of particular interest to government officials and representatives of the private sector who deal with:

  • Transit, trade and transport, and related issues

  • Trade facilitation

  • Customs modernization

  • The use of ICT in trade and transport

  • Trade logistics

Specialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies wishing to participate in the meeting - as well as non-governmental organizations in the general category and those in the special category wishing to participate as observers - are requested to inform the UNCTAD secretariat of the names of their representatives by 27 June 2008.


Language(s):
English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese

Contact:
Mr. Poul Hansen
Division on Technology and Logistics
T.: +41 (0) 22 917 3258
F.: +41 (0) 22 917 0050
E.: poul.hansen@unctad.org


 


Transport Newsletter No. 38, 2008
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2008/1

Welcome to the first 2008 issue of the UNCTAD Transport Newsletter. The present edition covers the last quarter of 2007 as well as the first quarter of 2008. Our apologies to the numerous readers who already asked us about the fourth quarter 2007 issue – its production was delayed mostly due to the heavy workload in relation to the preparation of UNCTAD XII in April in Ghana.

Six articles in this issue look at transport and trade logistics, including the globalization of port logistics, global value chains, transit corridors and freedom of transit, maritime freights and commodity prices, as well as the modal split of international trade, where we discuss if it is actually true that “shipping moves 90 per cent of global trade”.

We then report on some or our activities in the area of trade facilitation, including our support to the negotiations on trade facilitation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and a new UNCTAD project in Pakistan. Another article presents an update on UNCTAD’s Port Training Programme.

A number of shorter articles inform about events, publications and other activities related to international trade and its transport: (a) the introduction of an electronic certificate of origin in Sri Lanka, (b) the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC’s) maritime profile, (c) a meeting of Latin American container terminals, (d) a maritime education and training conference and a new master of science (MSc) in Transport and Logistics in Scotland, (e) meetings on “green ports” and on climate change, (f) one recent and one upcoming Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)/Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) workshop on trade facilitation, (g) the European Free Trade Association’s (EFTA’s) revised Trade Facilitation Manual, (h) the recent annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting, and (i) a viewpoint of the Boksburg Group on the multilateral trade negotiations.

For feedback, comments and suggestions for our next UNCTAD Transport Newsletter (No. 39), please contact Jan Hoffmann at jan.hoffmann@unctad.org before June 2008.


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Transport Newsletter No. 37, 2007
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2007/8

In 2006, world seaborne trade reached 7.4 billion tons. At the beginning of 2007, the world fleet reached 1.04 billion deadweight tons (dwt), an annual increase of 8.6 per cent. World container port throughput increased by 13.4 per cent to reach 440 million TEUs in 2006. This and extensive further information on maritime developments is included in the 2007 edition of UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport (see page 5).

2007 data on liner shipping connectivity is the topic of two articles (see pages 7): Produced in its fourth year, the development of the UNCTAD Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) confirms a trend towards a growing “connectivity divide”.

Please mark your agenda for the UNCTAD XII Pre Event on the “Globalization of port logistics: Opportunities and challenges for developing countries”, on 12 December 2007, Palais des Nations, Geneva (page 4).

Further articles in this issue of the Transport Newsletter look at Regional Cooperation in Transit Transport (page 6) and the TIR convention (page 16), as well as meeting reports (page 14), publications and proceedings (page 19), and upcoming events (page 20).

For feedback, comments, and suggestions for our next UNCTAD Transport Newsletter, please contact Jan Hoffmann at jan.hoffmann@unctad.org.


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Review of Maritime Transport 2007
UNCTAD/RMT/2007

The 2007 edition of the Review of Maritime Transport provides a detailed account of main developments affecting world seaborne trade, freight markets and rates, ports, surface transport, logistics services as well as world fleet-related issues, including ownership, control, age, tonnage supply and productivity.

The Review contains a chapter on legal and regulatory developments as well as a regional chapter that focuses on Asia.

Key developments reported in the 2007 edition include the following:

  • In 2006, world seaborne trade (goods loaded) increased by 4.3 per cent to reach 7.4 billion tons
  • At the beginning of 2007, the world fleet, breaking for the first time the 1 billion deadweight tons (dwt) mark, expanded by an impressive 8.6 per cent and reached 1.04 billion dwt. Developed countries controlled 65.9 per cent of the world total, with developing countries and economies in transition controlling 31.2 per cent and 2.9 per cent, respectively
  • At the beginning of 2007, the average age of the world fleet dropped marginally to 12 years. Containerships represented the youngest fleet with an average of 9.1 years
  • According to the latest data available for 2005, global freight costs represented 5.9 per cent of the value of world imports. Developing countries and the economies in transition continued to bear the incidents of high transport costs
  • In 2006, world container port throughput increased by 13.4 per cent to reach 440 million TEUs. Developing countries handled 65 per cent of this total. During the same year, international rail freight transport also expanded, lead by growth in China and India, while the global road transport market grew by 4.5 per cent
  • Important regulatory developments in 2007 include the resumption of negotiations on trade facilitation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the adoption of a new International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
  • Relevant developments in the field of transport and supply chain security include those under the auspices of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the IMO. In 2007, UNCTAD published a report relating the results of a wide-ranging survey which, for the first time, establishes some actual data on the range and order of magnitude of costs related to the implementation and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS).


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Ad hoc Expert Meeting on Globalization of Port Logistics - Opportunities and Challenges for Developing Countries: UNCTAD XII pre-event
Geneva, 12 December 2007

An ad hoc expert group meeting on "globalization of port logistics: opportunities and challenges for developing countries" will be held on Wednesday, 12 December 2007, in room IX of the Palais des Nations, Geneva, starting at 10 a.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to examine the most suitable ways for developing countries to meet the challenges and opportunities that the globalization of logistics may pose to their national trade and investment policies, in the light of recent trends in international maritime transport and developments in sea, river and inland terminals.


 

Quick Links: | Notification | DocumentsProgramme | PDFs | Presentations |

Expert Meeting on Regional Cooperation in Transit Transport — Solutions for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries
Geneva, 27–28 September 2007

The issue of transit transport is at the forefront of deliberations by the international community, including through the process initiated by the Almaty Programme of Action, which was adopted in 2003. The United Nations General Assembly has confirmed that an Almaty mid term review will take place in 2008 with the aim to take stock of the developments and progress thus far.

The lack of territorial access to the sea adversely affects the competitiveness of landlocked countries in the global economy and hence their ability to participate in and benefit from international trade. UNCTAD has for many years worked on removing obstacles faced by landlocked developing countries and transit developing countries, and has brought tangible solutions. In its experience, the establishment of efficient transit transport systems which use infrastructure and facilities along the transit route depends mainly on successful cooperative arrangements between landlocked developing countries and their neighbours. To this extent, emerging transport management techniques, such as those incorporating information and communication technology in integrated transport systems and door-to-door logistic services, can be highly relevant in improving transit transport efficiency.

The expert meeting will analyse recent trends in regional cooperation in transit transport. It will identify models and best practices to improve international transit transport operations based on practical solutions, including the use of information technologies and systems. It will also review the institutional operational arrangements for multimodal door-to-door transport operations and best practices of successful transit arrangements, and will elaborate central elements for improving the efficiency of transit transport operations.


 


Transport Newsletter No. 36, 2007
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2007/2

TN 33 2006UNCTAD will hold its expert meeting on “Regional cooperation in transit transport” 27-28 September in Geneva. The date for our ad hoc expert meeting on “Globalization of port logistics services: Opportunities for developing countries” has been set for 12 December (page 5). Notification, agenda and documents are available at: http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Meeting.asp?intItemID=4233&lang=1. For more information please contact Poul Hansen, Trade Logistics Branch, poul.hansen@unctad.org.

Two articles in this issue of the Transport Newsletter look at shipping issues, covering “Liner shipping connectivity and trans-shipment” (page 4) and “The process of concentration in port and shipping business” (p. 6).

The Global Facilitation Partnership (GFP) featured topic is the World Customs Organization (WCO) Columbus Program (p. 10). We further report on proceedings of conferences and meetings of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee (p. 9), the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH, page 9), the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) Forum Management Group FMG, p. 8), as well as the International Port Training Conference (IPTC, p. 11).

We further provide an update on the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN-LOCODE, p. 10).

Please also note that UNCTAD’s Trade Logistics Branch wishes to update and expand its roster of consultants in trade and transport facilitation. We seek experts who would be available to work on ongoing and potential future projects in the field. Please see p. 12 for more details.


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Maritime Security: ISPS Implementation, Costs and Related Financing
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2007/1

On 1 July 2004, the 2002 amendments to the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the new International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), entered into force and became mandatory for all SOLAS Member States. The SOLAS amendments and the ISPS Code (hereinafter the ISPS Code) impose wide-ranging obligations on governments, shipping companies, and port facilities. Implementing these obligations entails costs and potential economic implications. 

Against this background, UNCTAD conducted a global study based on a set of questionnaires designed to obtain first hand information from all affected parties. The main objective was to establish the range and order of magnitude of the ISPS Code-related expenditures made from 2003 through 2005 and to gain insight into the financing mechanisms adopted or envisaged. In addition the study sought to clarify matters relating to the implementation process, level of compliance and other less easily quantifiable impacts. Due to limited responses received from the shipping sector the report presents responses received from ports and governments only.

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Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development, 11th session
Geneva, 19–23 February 2007

Item4: Efficient Transport and trade facilitation 
Developing countries need to consider new developments in the area of transport and trade facilitation when identifying their priorities and formulating related policies. Lack of transport connectivity and trade facilitation, and high transport costs, increase the risk of marginalization of landlocked developing countries. Enabling legal and regulatory frameworks, and access to global transport networks, are paramount to transport and trade facilitation.

More >>
 


Transport Newsletter No. 35, 2007
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2007/1

TN 33 2006UNCTAD’s next Expert Meeting will deal with “Regional Cooperation in Transit Transport Solutions for Landlocked Developing Countries”. Please mark your agendas for 27–28 September 2007 (page 4).

In this Transport Newsletter we report on the outcome and recommendations of UNCTAD’s Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development (page 4), as well as on two new UNCTAD publications: one on maritime security (page 8), and the other on trade in services (page 13). The previously announced “Trade Facilitation Handbook Part II: Technical Notes on Essential Trade Facilitation Measures” is now also available in French and Spanish (page 7). Two topical articles look at “Developments in the Field of Carriage of Goods by Air: Status Update for Montreal Convention 1999” (page 12) and “Liner Shipping Freight Rates and Competition among Carriers” (page 14).

The featured topic of the Global Facilitation Partnership (GFP) is “A Business Prospective on Capacity-Building for Trade Facilitation” (page 7). We also report on activities of the Mekong River Commission (page 11) and the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) (page 12).

Finally, we include the regular update on “New Contracting Parties to International Conventions Adopted under the Auspices of UNCTAD” (page 16) and on upcoming events (page 16).


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Manuel de facilitation du commerce (Deuxième partie) 
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/2

La deuxième partie du présent manuel est un regroupement de notes techniques sur les mesures les plus importantes de facilitation du commerce que les pays membres devraient envisager lorsqu'ils procèdent à une réforme du fonctionnement des échanges commerciaux, des transports et des opérations douanières. Rédigées par des experts des divers domaines concernés, elles fournissent des détails techniques et pratiques. Ces notes techniques constituent un complément à la première partie du Manuel sur les organismes nationaux de facilitation des échanges, consacré aux structures institutionnelles et à la réalisation d'un consensus entre les parties prenantes du secteur public et du secteur privé concernant l'établissement et la mise en œuvre des mesures de facilitation du commerce dans tel ou tel pays. 


Quick Links: | A télécharger (PDF) | English |

Transport Newsletter No. 34, 2006
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2006/5

TN 33 2006Highlights in this fourth 2006 issue of our Transport Newsletter include:

UNCTAD’s Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development that is scheduled to meet in February. 

Four articles in this edition of the Transport Newsletter look at shipping issues, introducing the 2006 Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, information on direct liner shipping services between countries, a new OECD tonnage system to measure shipbuilding activities and the SAFE Port Act.

Two articles deal with trade facilitation issues, notably our joint UNCTAD/ECE workshop on Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organizations and the GFP featured topic regional partnerships.

Finally, we briefly present recent publications and proceedings on the time factor in liner shipping services, the Panama Canal expansion, and the role and governance of seaports.

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Transport Newsletter No. 33, 2006
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2006/4

TN 33 2006This third 2006 issue of our Transport Newsletter is published slightly later than usual so as to include information on the latest Review of Maritime Transport and on our Expert Meeting on ICT Solutions to Facilitate Trade at Border Crossings and Ports.

Trade facilitation is the topic of two articles, notably our UNCTAD Technical Notes and the featured topic of the Global Facilitation Partnership. Two articles look at liner shipping issues, notably freight rates and concentration in liner shipping. Further, we introduce several new and upcoming publications that deal with trade and transport security, and provide information on conventions affecting multimodal transport.

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Technical Notes on Trade Facilitation Measures in English and in Spanish Language

UNCTAD has produced several Technical Notes on trade facilitation measures. The topics of the Technical Notes include: · Publication of Trade Regulations and their Uniform Administration, · Levy of Fees and Charges, · Use of Customs Automation Systems, · Release of Goods in Event of Appeal, · Customs Procedures - Post Clearance Audit, · Single National Enquiry Points, · Maintenance of Integrity among Officials, · Freedom of Transit and Regional Transit Arrangement, · Documentation Requirements in Maritime Transport, · Right of Appeal against Customs and other Agency Rulings and Decisions, · Prerequisites for Internet Publication, · Risk Management in Customs Procedures, · Simplification of Trade Documentation Using International Standards, · Border Agency Coordination, · Pre-arrival Customs Clearance, · The Electronic Submission of Trade Documentation, · Bonded Transport Regimes, · Border Cooperation and Coordination amongst Agencies, · Authorities and the Private Sector in Relation to Transit, · Separating Release from Clearance Procedures, · Trade Transaction Modelling, · ASYCUDA, · Advance Ruling. More ...

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Workshop on Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organizations
Geneva, 31 October - 1 November 2006

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) are organizing a two-day workshop to strengthen the work of national and regional trade facilitation bodies.

The workshop aims to identify best practices in establishing effective national and regional trade facilitation bodies and ensuring their sustainability. It will highlight the needs and main challenges in facilitating trade at the national and regional level. Speakers will also present the latest developments in trade facilitation tools and instruments


 


Expert Meeting on ICT Solutions to Facilitate Trade at Border Crossings and Ports
Geneva, 16–18 October 2006

Recent developments in international trade and transport have led to an increased use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by traders and transport service providers. This also has a significant bearing on Customs and other operations at border crossings and in ports. In the context of the Doha Round, Members of the World Trade Organization have now started text-based negotiations on trade facilitation. Possible commitments resulting from these negotiations will invariably be linked to the availability of trade and transport related ICT tools in developing countries. ICTs are expected to play an increasing role in the design and implementation of Customs modernization programmes and other trade and transport facilitation measures. ICT applications can reduce waiting times at border crossings and at ports, secure appropriate processing of fees and Customs duties, simplify formalities, and provide timely information to transport operators. The use of ICTs in areas such as Customs automation, electronic documentation and advance information in logistics is likely to continue to grow in coming years. Developing countries must be proactive in reaping full benefits from ICT tools available worldwide to reduce transaction costs and enhance supply capacities.

During the three-day meeting, experts will analyse recent trends in the use of ICT in global trade and transport, as well as the resulting requirements for Customs modernization and other trade and transport facilitation measures. These requirements will be related to available ICT tools and their applicability to the realities of developing countries and least developed countries. Experts will further discuss capacity building and technical assistance requirements to implement specific technology-based trade facilitation measures, including those concerning the institutional, commercial, legal and operational environment for Customs and other operations at border crossings and in ports.

Immediately after this three-day event, a Global ASYCUDA Users´ Meeting has been scheduled to be held on Thursday, 19 October 2006. The objective of this meeting is to present the latest developments of the ASYCUDA Programme, including the web-based ASYCUDAWorld system.

 

Quick Links: | Notification | DocumentsKey Issues | Speakers |

Transport Newsletter No. 32, 2006
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2006/2

TN 32 2006The 32nd edition of the Transport Newsletter contains several articles on port and shipping issues, notably on port benchmarking, liner shipping connectivity, flag registration, and containerized trade, as well as a list of past UNCTAD publications on port and shipping issues that are now available in electronic format on-line.

A new UNCTAD publication related to air transport is announced. Two further articles introduce new UNCTAD Technical Notes on Trade Facilitation as well as the featured topic of the Global Facilitation Partnership GFP.

The next UNCTAD Expert Meeting on ICT Solutions to Facilitate Trade at Border Crossings and Ports has been set for 16-18 October 2006.

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Carriage of Goods by Air: A Guide to the International Legal Framework
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2006/1

One important recent development in the field of international transport law was the entry into force, on 4 November 2003, of the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air, the so-called Montreal Convention 1999. Although the Convention has already attracted 70 Contracting States, it continues, for the foreseeable future, to co-exist at the international level with the earlier Warsaw system conventions. As a result, the international legal framework for carriage by air remains complex. Given the increasing economic importance of air transport and its inherent development potential, modernization, transparency and easy accessibility of laws and regulation in this field are key, in particular for developing countries. Against this background, the UNCTAD secretariat has prepared a report to assist officials and traders in developing countries and in countries with economies in transition in their understanding of the existing legal framework governing the transport of goods by air and to facilitate effective national implementation and application of international conventions in the field. Part A of the report provides a general overview of the international legal liability framework applicable to international carriage of goods by air by considering the relevant international agreements on the subject in chronological order. It also highlights some practical aspects, which are important for the effective national implementation of these international agreements. Part B provides a brief guide to the key substantive provisions of the international legal liability regime, treated in thematic order. In both parts, specific emphasis is placed on the carriage of goods by air, but where appropriate for purposes of comparison, some reference is made to passenger carriage.

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TRADE FACILITATION HANDBOOK, PART II
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/2

Part II of this Handbook consists of a collation of technical notes on the most important trade facilitation measures countries should consider when reforming their trade, transport and customs operations. Written by experts in the respective areas, they provide technical and practical detail. The technical notes complement Part I of the Handbook on National Facilitation bodies, which focused on institutional structures and consensus building between government and private sector stakeholders for identifying and implementing trade facilitation measures in a given country. 

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Negotiations on Transport and Logistics Services: Issues to Consider
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/3

The current Doha Round negotiations on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) cover, among other services, the transport services sector. New ideas seeking to extend negotiations on maritime transport services to reflect the underlying logic of door-to-door transport have emerged during the negotiations. Highlighting the importance of supply chain efficiency for trade, growth and development, several WTO Members have called for an extension of the scope of the negotiations to cover multimodal transport and logistics services. It is argued that emerging market realities and recent trends in the fields of transport and trade should be reflected in the Doha Round of negotiations. Against this background, this paper reviews relevant developments in WTO negotiations on transport and logistics services and examines issues that call for consideration by developing countries when they are devising their negotiating strategies and formulating their GATS market access requests and offers. To conclude, the paper offers suggestions on how developing countries could contribute in a positive manner to the negotiations, while aware of the potential implications of new commitments.


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Self-practice exercise: Customs and transit conventions affecting multimodal transport
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/5 (cd)

This CD-Rom provides information on existing Customs and transit conventions and procedures with an opportunity of a self-practice exercise.

International transportation of goods is increasingly carried out on a door-to-door basis, involving more than one mode of transportation. International multimodal transport may reduce transit times and transaction costs, but unless Customs formalities at each border crossing are simplified, the potential advantages of multimodal transport will not be achieved. Various multilateral conventions have been ratified by developed countries and increasingly so by developing countries to solve Customs problems affecting transit. To strengthen understanding of the impact of international conventions on international transport, this CD-Rom provides an introduction to transit-related Customs procedures and reviews the main international Customs and transit conventions. The self-practice exercise allows for an individual learning process and provides feedback on progress made.

To order a copy of the CD-ROM please contact trade.logistics@unctad.org


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Maritime Security: Elements of an Analytical Framework for Compliance Measurement and Risk Assessment
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/4

This document reviews the current approach to maritime transport security and suggests an alternative analytical framework that reflects better the complex nature of increasingly integrated international transport systems. The development and application of risk assessment and management techniques to maritime security must take into account the complex regulatory and operational context in which the maritime industry operates. The focus is to shift the subject of maritime security from the current agenda of facility-security to an extended framework of supply chain security.

The paper introduces an initial security risk assessment and management framework capable of reflecting the logistics scope of transport networks. The document also reviews existing approaches to measuring transport security compliance costs and funding schemes adopted by industry and governments in order to finance the costs of security regulations.

While advocating the adoption of any particular security measure is not within the scope of this analysis, the paper nevertheless argues that the new international security regulatory framework is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to be seized. Although the new security requirements impose an additional regulatory burden on all concerned parties, security-driven business practices and operational procedures have the potential of improving efficiency and trade competitiveness.

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Transport Newsletter No. 31, 2006
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2006/1

TN 31 2006Coverage in this issue of the Transport Newsletter includes articles dealing with trade transaction modelling, the liberalization of trade in transport and logistics services, the role of ports in international maritime transport costs, and on liner shipping connectivity in Latin America. It also introduces a number of new documents and web pages such as information on legal issues in international trade and trade logistics, technical notes on trade facilitation measures, facilitation bodies, and maritime security.

As regards projects and activities, the Newsletter covers reports on the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention of the ILO, the Global Facilitation Partnership meeting and its featured topic Electronic Commerce and Business, the Trade Facilitation Toolkit and Forms Repository of the UN Regional Commissions, the International Multimodal Transport Association, an UNCTAD project on transit corridors, as well as an UNCTAD project on trade facilitation and multimodal transport in the Economic Cooperation Organization region.

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TRADE FACILITATION HANDBOOK, PART I
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/1

In view of the importance of trade facilitation measures to improve a country’s trading performance, Part I of this Handbook is intended to guide users in creating the institutional structure for processing trade facilitation measures. It focuses on one platform — the trade facilitation body — in the form of an interdisciplinary committee where private sector managers, public sector administrators and policymakers can work together towards the effective implementation of trade facilitation measures. Approaches to the setting up of a trade facilitation body by different developing countries are reviewed on the basis of case studies carried out by UNCTAD and relevant work by other institutions. From the review, key lessons are drawn for developing countries intent on establishing and operating trade facilitation committees.

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Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development, 10th session
Geneva, 21–24 February 2006

Item4: Transport and trade facilitation 
are crucial for the competitiveness and development potential of developing countries. At the same time, a country´s level of development affects its capacity to implement facilitation measures, and this should be considered during the ongoing multilateral negotiations on this issue at the World Trade Organization. Ongoing changes in the legal and regulatory framework of international trade and transport also have important implications for development. UNCTAD´s research and analytical work, advisory services and technical assistance should further support developing countries in these matters. In this context, the Commission will consider the report of the Expert Meeting on Trade Facilitation as an Engine for Development. (See EM24)

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Transport Newsletter No. 30, 2005
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2005/6

TN 30 2005Trade and transport facilitation and development mutually benefit each other. Many facilitation measures make a positive contribution to development. In turn, financial, technical, human and institutional capacities are part of the overall stage of development that benefit the implementation of specific trade and transport facilitation instruments.

This issue of the Transport Newsletter includes introductions to several publications, including UNCTAD's Review of Maritime Transport, 2005, Technical Notes on Trade Facilitation, a book on Transport Logistics and a UN-ECLAC publication on coastal shipping in Central America.

Various initiatives are also presented that aim at promoting trade facilitation, including a UN-ECE symposium on single window standards and interoperability, UN-ESCAP's ARTNet, the Trade Facilitation Alliance and the regular featured topic of the Global Facilitation Partnership GFP. More ...

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UNCTAD Trust Fund for Trade Facilitation Negotiations: Technical Notes on Trade Facilitation Measures

The technical notes have been produced by technical experts contracted by UNCTAD within the Trust Fund project "Capacity building in developing countries and least developed countries to support their effective participation in the WTO Negotiations Process on trade facilitation", financed by the Governments of Sweden and Spain. Their purpose is to assist Geneva- and capital-based negotiators to better understand the scope and implications of the various trade facilitation measures being proposed in the context of negotiations at the WTO. More ...


Transport Newsletter No. 29, 2005
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2005/5

TN 29 2005In this Transport Newsletter UNCTAD informs about the various meetings that took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva in September 2005, including the Expert Meeting on Trade Facilitation as an Engine for Development, the biannual meeting of the Global Facilitation Partnership, the launch of the GFP website upgrade, and a workshop for Asian LDCs and landlocked countries. This is complemented with background information and considerations on the ongoing negotiations on trade facilitation at the WTO. More ...

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Review of Maritime Transport 2005
UNCTAD/RMT/2005

This year´s Review indicates that, while world output grew by 4.1 per cent in 2004, world seaborne trade (goods loaded) increased by 4.3 per cent. Worldwide fleet expansion continued at a pace of 4.5 per cent. World container port traffic expanded by 9.6 per cent over that of the previous year, reaching 303.1 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), with ports of developing countries handling 122.4 million TEUs, or 40.4 per cent of the total...  More


Expert Meeting on Trade Facilitation as an Engine for Development
Geneva, 21–23 September 2005

Long waiting times at border crossings or at ports, inappropriate fees or formalities, and unclear trade and transport rules and regulations can all become serious obstacles to trade and as a consequence adversely affect investment and the creation of employment. Developing countries depend on effective trade facilitation for their development process; they will only benefit from the opportunities arising from the "new geography of trade", including increased exports of manufactured goods and more South-South trade, if their imports and exports are not confronted with excessive transaction costs, uncertainty and delays. Developing countries must be proactive in designing and implementing trade and transport facilitation measures for enhancing efficiency, reducing transaction costs and maintaining supply capacities. 

With its inclusion in the WTO General Council Decision (the July Package), trade facilitation remains at the forefront of the development agenda of most developing countries, with increased activities aimed at raising awareness and capacity building. WTO Members have started a negotiating process on trade facilitation with a focus on the clarification and improvement of GATT 1994 Articles V, VIII and X, which deal respectively with transit issues, fees and formalities, and the transparency of trade procedures. 

During the three-day meeting, experts and resource persons will analyse the increased need for trade and transport facilitation and the insertion of facilitation measures into the development process. They will further discuss ways of establishing national needs and priorities as regards trade and transport facilitation, as well as the requirements in terms of technical assistance and capacity building to implement specific trade facilitation measures that aim at building the required institutional, commercial, legal and operational environment for effective integration into the global economy.
 


Global Partnership for Transportation and Trade (GFPTT)/ United Nation Trade Facilitation Network (UNTF) Meeting
Geneva, 20 September 2005

A day before the Expert Meeting on Trade Facilitation as an Engine for Development, the GFPTT/UNTFN will hold its biannual meeting at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

The programme of the meeting includes:
1. The Changing Scenario for Trade and Transport Facilitation
2. Mobilizing Institutional Support: An Exercise in International Cooperation
3. Panel: The Private Sector's Role in the Support to the Trade Facilitation Agenda

For further information, please contact: Jan.Hoffmann@UNCTAD.org

 


Transport Newsletter No. 28, 2005
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2005/3

TN 24 2004Trade and transport facilitation is increasingly important for developing countries’ competitiveness. Although trade competitiveness on its own is not sufficient to overcome poverty and achieve sustainable development, it is a necessary condition without which economic growth, development and poverty reduction will not usually be achievable. In this issue of the Transport Newsletter, you will find several articles that deal with recent developments in international trade and transport and related topics, including a Trade Facilitation Maturity Model, and Paperless Trade. We would like to particularly highlight the invitations to our “Expert Meeting on Trade Facilitation as an Engine for Development”, to take place on 21–23 September 2005 in Geneva, and to the next meeting of the Global Facilitation Partnership GFP, to take place on 20 September2005. More ...

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Transport Newsletter No. 27, 2005
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2005/1

TN 24 2004This issue of the Transport Newsletter includes several articles about different aspects of trade efficiency, including transport connectivity, transport costs, and trade and transport facilitation. In addition to providing a summary of the outcome of the ninth session of the Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development (February 2005) and information on recent UNCTAD publications in the field of transport and trade facilitation, the Newsletter contains articles on the Global Facilitation Partnership and on FIATA and announces forthcoming events in the maritime field.

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Assessment of a seaport land interface: an analytical framework
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2004/3

Although landside expansions are a cornerstone of strategic port planning, inland infrastructure/ superstructure development plans are usually designed to satisfy the needs of shipping services, e.g. through the provision of container freight stations and marshalling areas to accommodate ships’ cargo. Similarly, the segmentation of the port market has traditionally been oriented towards the sea-leg component of the transport chain; with port marketing and competitive strategies being typically formulated to meet the requirements of sea transport and related shipping services. This situation is far from being desirable not only because it disintegrates the port system from the total transport and logistics chain, but also because it unnecessarily binds the entire port system to sea transport and impedes ports’ potential to integrate land operations and management. This study attempts to analyse ports’ potential to develop landside connections and facilities and integrate the land-leg interface of the trade, logistics, and supply chain system. It examines main operational and management practices in international shipping services versus those of land transport systems, and proposes a framework for port's landside integration, with particular emphasis on appropriate tools of assessment and analysis. Finally, a number of policy initiatives, such as organizational reform and technological developments, are put forward with a view to ensure successful landside integration and management particularly for ports in developing countries.

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The Establishment and Operation of an Electronic Single Window: Case Study of Guatemala
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2004/5

A Single Window is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. Guatemala introduced a first Single Window for export procedures in 1986. This first initiative led to a reduction of the time to process and issue an export licence from 10–12 days to 6–8 days. In 2000, a pilot of an electronic and more advanced version of the Single Window was successfully launched. By 2003, the new system covered companies accounting for 65 per cent of all export transactions and an export licence can now be obtained within a few minutes. Other advantages of the new system include a reduction of costs, the possibility to obtain licences outside office hours, a cutback in the number of required documents, and increased transparency and predictability. The successful implementation of the Single Window depended heavily on four key factors, i.e. 1) political will and commitment from government and business, 2) a strong and resourceful lead agency, 3) the establishment of the required legal framework, and 4) financial support for the necessary investment in technology and capacity building.

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TRANSPORT MULTIMODAL ET LOGISTIQUE: Synthèse du matériel pédagogique préparé aux fins d'un atelier de sensibilisation et d'information, dans le cadre d'un projet régional d'assistance technique
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/MISC/2004/4

Ce document décrit le cours sur le Transport Multimodal et la Logistique développé par la CNUCED.. Les éléments nécessaires à la diffusion de ce cours (Guide de l'instructeur, Présentations PowerPoint, Etudes de cas, tests et évaluation) sont disponibles sur CD-ROM. Pour l'obtenir, prière de contacter: trade.logistics@unctad.org.

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Review of Maritime Transport 2004
UNCTAD/RMT/2004

This year´s special chapter covers developments in maritime transport in Asia. The Review indicates that world seaborne trade grew by 3.7 per cent in 2003, which compared favourably to the modest 1.0 per cent rate attained in 2002. It also indicates that the expansion in seaborne trade is mainly attributable to the economic performance observed in the US, Japan and China and predicts that global maritime trade growth continued in 2004..  More


Transport Newsletter No. 26, 2004
UNCTAD/WEB/SDTE/TLB/2004/6

TN 24 2004This issue contains information about a new UNCTAD trade facilitation project, as well as about the Expert Meeting on Transit Transport Arrangements, which had a strong focus on trade and transport facilitation. There is also a regular feature about the Global Facilitation Partnership (GFP) and there are two articles about trade and transport facilitation from colleagues at the UN regional commissions for Western Asia (ESCWA) and for Europe (UNECE).

Regarding international transport, the newsletter contains an article about ICT and logistics in shipping and two reviews of new documents about port logistics and about carrier liability and freedom of contract. Finally, there is a brief article about a Round-table on Transport and International Trade, held at the ECMT in Paris, which confirmed the significant positive impact of trade facilitation measures on international trade flows.

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Carrier Liability and Freedom of Contract under the UNCITRAL Draft Instrument on the Carriage of Goods [Wholly or Partly] [ By Sea] , Note by the UNCTAD secretariat
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2004/2

The note deals with some central issues for consideration in connection with the preparation of a new international instrument to govern liability arising from the carriage of goods. In 2002, an UNCITRAL Working Group on Transport Law had commenced its deliberations on a "Draft Instrument on Transport Law" (UNCITRAL document A/CN.9/WG.III/WP.21). At the time, the UNCTAD secretariat had prepared an analytical commentary on the Draft Instrument (UNCITRAL document A/CN.9/WG.III/WP.21/Add.1 and UNCTAD document UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/4). This note, which has been submitted to the UNCITRAL Working Group at its 14th session, is a complement to the earlier UNCTAD commentary and focuses on some central issues which arise for consideration by the Working Group namely (a) freedom of contract, in particular the question of which contracts may be exempt from the mandatory application of the Instrument and (b) liability of the carrier for cargo loss, damage and delay. 

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Expert Meeting on Design and implementation of Transit Transport Arrangements
Geneva, 24–26 November 2004

Countries that depend on transit trade, notably the landlocked countries, are confronted with a variety of practical constraints that increase the logistics costs of their international trade. For example, it is estimated that landlocked developing countries have to bear, on average, 50 per cent higher international transport costs than their neighbouring transit/coastal countries. The specific constraints are related to Customs and border procedures and also to the fact that cargo and transport services have to adapt to different sets of administrative, legal, commercial and other conditions when passing through a third country. Transit arrangements that aim at diminishing these constraints need to take new developments into account, notably concerning trade facilitation, new technologies, multimodal transport, and transport security. In order to develop and implement specific transit arrangements, the public and private sectors of the transit country and of the landlocked country need to cooperate within each country and between the two countries through appropriate national and regional coordination mechanisms. In many cases, corridor-specific arrangements can be found that lead to win-win situations, where both countries can benefit from synergies and economies of scale in investments and transport operations. During the three-day meeting, experts and resource persons will analyse the present situation and discuss ways and means to best design and implement transit transport arrangements and to overcome the existing constraints of transit trade.
 


Transport Newsletter No. 25, 2004
UNCTAD/WEB/SDTE/TLB/2004/3

TN 24 2004This issue of the Transport Newsletter reports on the outcome of UNCTAD XI, provides information and updates on the preparations for the Expert Meeting on Transit Transport Arrangements, reviews papers presented at IAME 2004 in Izmir, Turkey, and reproduces the second part of an article on the process of concentration and specialization in the maritime business.

Furthermore, the Transport Newsletter presents information about activities of the International Association of Ports and Harbours, the World Trade Point Federation, the World Economic Forum, Dalian Maritime University, as well as our Global Facilitation Partnership GFP and the entry into force of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993. An article on the "New Geography and Trade" and the role of transport infrastructure and services concludes that "not all developing countries are so far benefiting from this new trade geography and further efforts are required to improve transport services and infrastructure especially for least developed and landlocked countries. The challenge for policy makers is to initiate a virtuous cycle where better transport services lead to more trade, and more trade in turn helps to encourage improved transport services"

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Transport Newsletter No. 24, 2004
UNCTAD/WEB/SDTE/TLB/2004/2

TN 24 2004This issue of our Transport Newsletter sets out with a briefing at our UNCTAD XI conference in Sao Paulo and our background issues note on the topic of "Trade and Transport Facilitation: Building a Secure and Efficient Environment for Trade" (see page 4). Three articles (starting on page 5) deal with trends in container shipping. The first is about the process of concentration in different maritime businesses, the second about the surge of freight rates during the last two years, and the third briefly presents some forecasts of containerized trade. Feed back and discussion from you on these items is always very welcome. Three items (starting on page 19) in this newsletter are about capacity development, including information about the World Maritime University, the International Port Training Conference, and UNCTAD's Port Training Programme. Finally, we also announce a few new publications and upcoming events which we believe are of interest to international transport and development. 

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UNCTAD XI -- Trade and Transport Facilitation: Building a Secure and Efficient Environment for Trade
Sao Paulo, Brazil, 17 June 2004, 11h00 Plenary Hall

To achieve economic development through international trade, physical and procedural obstacles hindering the competitiveness of export industries need to be reduced to the largest extent possible. Limited transport availability and excessive transactional costs not only constitute major barriers to foreign markets and to a greater integration of developing countries in the global economy, but also represent major impediment towards attracting foreign direct investment to least developed countries. Trade and transport facilitation measures can reduce transactional costs through simplified procedures and the use of modern technology. This task has become more complex in light of increasing security concerns. More  or Click here for its webcast
 

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Trade and Transport Facilitation:
Building a Secure and Efficient Environment for Trade
TD/393 (Advance copy)

Trade and transport facilitation is increasingly relevant for developing countries that need access to fast, reliable and frequent transport services to serve their foreign trade while, at the same time, seeking to comply with new and more stringent security requirements.

This note analyses recent developments in trade and international transport and their role in globalization and the development process. The environment within which trade takes place has changed as a consequence of terrorist threats and ensuing security measures. The document presents some of the new requirements that shippers and transport service providers must adhere to. 

Developing countries, in particular landlocked and least developed countries, are confronted with severe difficulties in ensuring the changeover to a secure and efficient trade environment. The international community needs to join efforts to facilitate this process. The Global Facilitation Partnership for Transportation and Trade (GFPTT) provides a multilateral platform for contributing to a more efficient environment for international trade and transport for the benefit of Governments, traders, transport service providers and other stakeholders from developing countries.

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UNCTAD-World Bank Trade Facilitation Seminar
Geneva, 13 May 2004

UNCTAD and the World Bank expect this event to be an opportunity to stimulate the dialogue between private and public stakeholders on the importance of making progress on this agenda for the benefit of the international community at large, and in particular for countries still somewhat remote from the global marketplace. More  List of Presentations


CONTAINER SECURITY: Major Initiatives and Related International Developments
UNCTAD/SDTE/TLB/2004/1

Following the events of September 11, 2001, safety and security considerations have been at the forefront of international concerns. A variety of different unilateral and multilateral security measures regulations and legislative initiatives have been developed or are under consideration. Given that world trade is largely dependent on maritime transport, much of the focus has been directed at enhancing maritime transport security and at addressing the particular challenges posed by containerised transport. The different sets of rules and measures which have been implemented or are being considered internationally need to be properly understood and their potential impacts on trade and transport, particularly of developing countries, needs to be assessed. This report provides a first step in this direction, by focusing on the main measures relevant to maritime container security, namely those initiated by the U.S., and by presenting the most important international developments in context. The aim of the report is to present a clear overview over the new security environment and to offer some preliminary analysis of potential impacts for the trade and transport of developing countries. 

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Transport Newsletter No. 23, Q1, 2004
UNCTAD/WEB/SDTE/TLB/2004/1

Capacity DevelopmentFrom this issue of the UNCTAD Transport Newsletter onwards, we would like to communicate with you more frequently. It is planned to publish this newsletter on a quarterly basis, and we hope to encourage as much feedback as possible from you. It is for this reason that most items are signed and complemented with contact information and web links. There will no longer be a printed version, but the Transport Newsletter will instead be distributed on the web and by e-mail only, which is faster, less costly and – we hope – allows us to reach a broader audience and receive more feedback from you, our readers. 

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Review of Maritime Transport 2003
UNCTAD/RMT/2003

The 2003 edition indicates that world output grew by 1.9 per cent in 2002 and world seaborne trade (goods loaded) increased by 2.5 per cent. Indicators for world fleet productivity (calculated in tons carried per dwt and thousands of ton-miles per dwt) showed decreases of 1.4 and 1.8 per cent from the figures for 2001. World container port traffic expanded by 2.2 per cent over that of the previous year, reaching 236.7 million TEUs. The ports of developing countries handled 96.6 million TEUs, or 40.8 per cent of the total.  More


UNCTAD launches new Customs system
A Web-based version

Economic Development In Africa: Trade Performance And Commodity Dependence UNCTAD is launching a new Web-based version of its customs automation system, ASYCUDA, which will allow customs administrations and traders to handle most of their transactions – from cargo manifests and transit documents to Customs declarations – via the Internet.
The first ASYCUDAWorld Project in the European Region started in the Republic of Moldova at the beginning of March 2004.


 
   


 

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