RS took part in the UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Transport, Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation

UNCTAD, established by the UN General Assembly resolution 1995 (XIX) on December 30, 1964, plays the role of a global forum for reviewing and generating solutions in the areas of sustainable development, trade, finance, investment and technology transfer.

UNCTAD's top decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference which convenes every four years. The Russian Federation is part of the organization’s executive branch, the Trade and Development Board which coordinates the work between the Ministerial Conferences through commissions. These commissions are supported by expert meetings that discuss specific trade and economic issues.

It is important to note that the Board does not create legally binding documents for Member States. UNCTAD issues reviews based on the outcomes of expert meetings. UNCTAD's reviews and analyses are highly valued in the international business sector and can significantly influence markets by highlighting areas of investment attractiveness.

For example, recently, UNCTAD published the latest Review of Maritime Transport 2024, its flagship work published annually since 1968. The Review provides the general public with various analytical and statistical data on the development of maritime transport, maritime cargo transportation, the structure of the international merchant fleet, shipbuilding, freight rates, port activities, etc.

As a member of the Russian delegation, RS presented data on the achievements of the Russian Federation in the establishment and development of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) and Remote Control Centers. The delegates were informed on legal aspects of such developments as well as the efforts of the Russian Federation to assist in the creation of IMO’s international regulatory framework.

Experts agreed that the concept of MASS will facilitate the decarbonization of maritime transport, expected to become particularly effective with the implementation of “smart” ports.

Discussions focused on the following priority areas, identified at UNCTAD's Global Supply Chain Forum, held in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 21 to 24 May 2024:

• Decarbonization of the shipping sector as an imperative and the criticality of a just and equitable transition to a low- or zero-carbon shipping paradigm;
• Harnessing the potential of alternative energy to enhance port sustainability and support the decarbonization of shipping including the UNCTAD sustainable and smart ports concept;
• Future-proofing maritime transport and logistics by enhancing preparedness and the ability to respond, recover and adapt to disruption and change.

The 12th session of the Expert Meeting on Transport, Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation is scheduled for October 2025.

Additional information:

Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry with the goal of improving the operational and environmental safety of marine transportation. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships and offshore facilities under construction and in service, certifies vessels and companies for compliance with international conventions, recognizes and certifies industrial products and manufacturers, certifies quality management systems for compliance with international and national standards.

Today, RS is actively implementing the concept "More than class" by expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys and certification. In addition, RS surveys all container types, including tank containers and offshore containers, confirms compliance of packaging for dangerous goods, as well as renders services on the declaration and certification of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes.