Port efficiency is crucial for making trade easier, as ports are the main entry and exit points for international trade and key hubs for moving goods across different transportation modes. Globally, nearly 80% of goods pass through ports. In many developing countries, this number is even higher, reaching over 90%.
Our livelihoods – food, jobs, energy – depend on supply chains that are strong and reliable. How ports are managed directly affects economic growth, environmental protection and gender equality, making them central to sustainable development. Ports in developing countries need to operate efficiently to effectively connect to the global economy.
A port management programme
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) helps ports in developing countries by offering studies, technical support, training and capacity building in port management. The TrainForTrade Port Management Programme creates networks that link port professionals from public and private sectors worldwide.
These networks allow people to share knowledge, exchange experiences and build on research about port management, performance indicators and more.
A research project
A key part of the programme is the research project. Each participant identifies a problem in their port or organization and suggests a feasible solution. They do this with help from an advisor (usually a manager or director), who guides the project to make sure the solution is practical and beneficial to the port community.
This project is then integrated into improvement and management strategies. Bringing together senior and mid-level managers also promotes a culture of sharing knowledge and experiences within the port.
The Port Management Series is published in English, French and Spanish. This 13th volume, available only in Spanish, showcases standout studies from ports in the Spanish-speaking network, including studies from Argentina’s third cycle (2020-2021), Bolivia’s third cycle (2021-2022), Peru’s seventh cycle (2021-2022) and the Dominican Republic’s fifth cycle (2021-2022).
