UNCTAD: Key considerations for a more sustainable trade

In an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Mr Jan Hoffmann, UNCTAD’s Head at Trade Logistics Branch, Division on Technology and Logistics, refers to key findings and alarming trends revealed by the latest UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport. Mr Hoffmann highlights that industry consolidation, digitalization and decarbonization are the key challenges to move forward while we should focus on port performance, intermodal connections and the existing trading patterns to improve the transport of goods.

Furthermore, Mr. Hoffmann is in favor of putting a price on carbon, suggesting to consider pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as a ‘safety’ issue since they do cause damage to human health. While he notices a significant progress with industry’s initiatives and discussions around decarbonizaztion, he remains optimistic about the future highlighting though, that we need a ‘clear and predictable, and multilateral, global regulatory framework’ to move forward.