With the United Nations (U.N.) meeting this week in New York City, and heads of state from most of the world’s countries in town, there’s been a lot of talk about the upcoming maritime agreement that is hitting some last-minute roadblocks. So, it’s perfectly fitting that the U.N. Trade and Development Agency just released a new report on the state of shipping and maritime transportation for 2025.
This year’s theme: “staying the course in turbulent waters”
The theme of this year’s report refers to turbulent waters, and that could not be more fitting for the year that shipping and trade has had. The report refers to a myriad of challenges facing the shipping industry including the Red Sea Crisis, where ships have re-routed around the Cape of Good Hope, rising shipping costs, port delays, stressing of supply chains and globalization, and longer travel times are all mentioned, as well as governmental challenges such as tariffs, trade barriers, etc.
Many opportunities are also outlined including shipping modernization, infrastructure upgrades, cleaner fuel and fewer emissions, increased safety, and more.
Technology and modernization are also noted in the U.N. report.
Secretary-General of U.N. Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan alludes to shipping being in a transitionary period, quoted as saying: “The transitions ahead – to zero carbon, to digital systems, to new trade routes – must be just transitions. They must empower, not exclude. Build resilience, not deepen vulnerability.”
Transitions and change facing the shipping industry include transitioning to alternative fuels – as has been the goal of the October 2025 proposed U.N. maritime agreement, moving the 90% of active commercial vessels using conventional fuel to alternative fuels, digitizing shipping, and protecting against cyber vulnerabilities, among others.
What the U.N. thinks needs to happen for shipping to become modernized and equitable.
Goals for the U.N. in regard to shipping are noted as modernizing maritime transportation, having better plans for disruptions like the Red Sea Crisis, modernizing commercial vessels, promoting inclusive and diversified skills and hiring practices, reducing greenhouse gases, and more. Other areas noted as important are rolling out digital solutions in shipping, better tracking infrastructure performance – including for ports and increasing overall capacity.
Climate and sustainability challenges are reviewed in the U.N. report, too.
Climate challenges are a major part of the U.N.’s agenda for the shipping industry over the next few decades. In the 2025 report, the IMO Net-Zero Framework, and it’s importance, are mentioned, as a main driver of reducing emissions over the next few decades.
The U.N. hopes that proceeds raised through the Net-Zero Framework and its fees collected will help countries transition faster to alternative fuels, as well as modernize infrastructure for shippers. It is also noted that once alternative fuels are switched to, shippers will need to learn how to properly and safely use them, compared to conventional fuels. In fact, safety is a key component throughout this year’s U.N. report.
Another sustainability initiative discussed in the U.N. report is the Hong Kong Convention, which sets standards on ship recycling. The agreement went into force earlier this year. Another U.N. agreement on autonomous ships is being worked on, the agency notes in this year’s report.
Overall, the report shows more work is needed to bring shipping into the modern era.
2025 is nearly 75% over. Since the beginning of the year, the shipping industry has seen a number of new challenges. The U.S., a global leader in trade and commerce, created further uncertainty through economic policies that included widespread tariffs, duties, and rolling back of regulations. Between the acute challenges caused by factors within government control, and the ones that are longer-term and more serious, such as climate change, sustainability, and safety, this year’s U.N. report was far from uneventful. We encourage you to read the full report here.
