Author Description

Non-observance of international rules and standards relating to maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and its effects on competition in the maritime transport industry are among the issues addressed in the 1997 edition of OECD's annual report on maritime transport. At a time when the issue of competition policy in the international liner shipping sector is particularly acute, Member countries have sought to promote convergence of their policies and have encouraged further liberalization of maritime services through the broadening of their review of support measures and systems. The report finds that international seaborne trade reached record volumes in 1995, with the biggest increase being shown in the container trade. The study reviews developments in the maritime transport industry in 1995-1996 and provides statistical information on the performance of the industry.