Introduction

Abstract

Despite the slow-moving recovery in world merchandise trade since the big recession of 2008, trade flows continue to expand with projected growth set to accelerate in the coming years (UNCTAD 2015). In tandem, trade-related international freight is expected to grow by a factor of 4.3 by 2050 compared to 2010 volumes, with patterns also shifting – one third of trade in 2050 will occur among developing economies (OECD 2015).