Why ports are at heart of sustainable development
By Abimbola Abdullahi
How ports are managed has implications for economic growth, crisis response efforts, environmental protection and gender equality, placing them at the heart of sustainable development.
A report by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said the efficiency of a port directly affects the economies of the countries it serves, since more than 80% of global trade is carried by sea, adding that the percentage is even higher for many developing countries.
UNCTAD Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan said port management has implications for economic growth, crisis response efforts, environmental protection and gender equality.
“If you’ve never lived near a port or worked in one, you may be unaware of the vital role they play in our lives.
“Most of the products we consume daily travel through ports, making them a key link in the global production and supply chains we rely on.
“Our livelihoods – food, jobs, energy – depend on functioning and resilient supply chains,” she said.
The report noted that COVID-19 pandemic has been a stark reminder that when ports slow down, everyone suffers.
During the pandemic, freight rates reached record highs and have again soared in the wake of the war in Ukraine due to logistics disruptions and port congestion.
UNCTAD analysis also showed how surges in freight rates can raise the prices of goods, especially in least developed countries and small island developing states.
According to UNCTAD, when disaster strikes, ports are the main point of entry for the food, water and medicine people need to survive and the fuel required to keep hospitals and health facilities running.
“For example, Yemen, which is experiencing one of the largest humanitarian crises, imports through its ports about 90% of its food.
“The war in Ukraine has also been a tragic reminder of the key role ports play in fighting crises like global hunger. The country was the world’s sixth largest exporter of wheat in the 2020-2021 season.
“In the eight months before the conflict, more than 50 million tonnes of grain were shipped through the country’s Black Sea ports – enough to feed about 400 million people.
“Now, with ports on the Black Sea blocked, the grain is stuck in silos on land or on ships, unable to move while 44 million people around the world face starvation,” it stated.
UNCTAD noted that tackling environmental impact is critical.
It stated that, “While ports are vital for economic development and crisis response, the associated maritime traffic, handling of goods, and road and rail transport take a toll on the environment through air and water pollution.
“This is caused by fuel-powered cargo handling equipment, ships, trucks, trains and the power plants providing the energy needed to run port operations.
“The emissions include greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and particulate matter, which cause respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and chronic lung and heart diseases.
“Reducing port emissions would cut air and water pollution and improve the health of over 3.5 billion people while helping curb climate change,” it stated.
