New figures released by the World Trade Organisation show that overall world trade is now increasing, in spite of the instability of the main world economies. In the second quarter of 2010, growth in merchandise exports increased by 7% compared with the first quarter. The logistics sector has been experiencing a robust return to growth, although less so in the overland sector. The main growth has been in air freight and containerised sea freight.
The growth in trade has been concentrated in certain areas – for China exports increased year on year for the quarter by 41%, whilst imports increased 44%. Exports from the USA increased by 25% and imports increased by 32%. The freight transport industry has been struggling to keep up with the demand.