Liner shipping connectivity index (maximum value in 2004 = 100)

This metric provides a comprehensive assessment of a nation's integration within global maritime trade networks, reflecting its capacity to facilitate container shipping and logistics. Developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), it evaluates five critical aspects of maritime infrastructure: the total number of vessels, their aggregate container capacity, the largest vessel size, the frequency of shipping services, and the number of shipping companies operating in the country's ports. Each country's performance on these components is benchmarked against the highest values recorded in 2004, generating comparative scores that reveal a country's relative connectivity. An index value of 100 marks the peak connectivity level achieved that year, offering insights into trends and shifts in global shipping dynamics over time. This index is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and researchers in understanding market access and competitiveness in the maritime sector. Source: