Global economic expansion is the main driver of world sgipping demand, and 2017 will be remembered as the yera when the world economy and global shipping experienced a cyclical recovery from the historic lows of 2016, nearly a decade after the 2008-2009 global economic and financial crisis. Main economic and shipping indicators trended upward, reflecting growth in global investment, manufacturing activity and merchandise trade. At the same time, a range of upside and downside risks continued to unfold, bringing major implicationcs for shipping and maritime trade. 

Global economic expansion is the main driver of world sgipping demand, and 2017 will be remembered as the yera when the world economy and global shipping experienced a cyclical recovery from the historic lows of 2016, nearly a decade after the 2008-2009 global economic and financial crisis. Main economic and shipping indicators trended upward, reflecting growth in global investment, manufacturing activity and merchandise trade. At the same time, a range of upside and downside risks continued to unfold, bringing major implicationcs for shipping and maritime trade.