Published on : 24 Sep 2025, 3:30 pm Summary
UNCTAD report highlights freight volatility as “the new normal” for South Asia’s maritime trade
Red Sea crisis and tariff battles pushed container rates to near-pandemic highs in 2024
Climate-linked port disruptions and rerouting inflated costs and emissions
Decarbonisation rules create both opportunities for India and Bangladesh and risks for smaller carriers
Geopolitical tensions and supply chain shifts could redraw global shipping routes through the region
South Asia’s maritime sector, led by India, is navigating turbulent waters as volatile freight rates, climate-related disruptions, costly decarbonisation rules and shifting geopolitics converge, according to a new United Nations report.
The UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD)