Maritime transport in small island developing states

Small island developing States are small in area, in population and in economy. Smallness is a factor of vulnerability in different ways. It very often implies a small domestic market and a narrow resource base for export opportunities, with limited agricultural or mineral production or manufactures, leading to a high share of imports in GDP. Transport costs of SIDS trade are comparatively high because small volumes of trade have to travel long and indirect routes to reach distant markets. As open and small economies, SIDS are also vulnerable to global economic and financial shocks. Furthermore, most SIDS are vulnerable to natural hazards, because they are located unfavourably in relation to global weather systems and in areas prone to strong weather events, including those associated with the foreseeable impacts of climate change.

Related Subject(s): Transportation and Public Safety