Substantive areas of work include international maritime and transport law, as well as a range of policy issues of relevance to sustainable transport. Since 2008, one area of focus has been on the implications of climate change for maritime transport, with special emphasis on climate change impacts and adaptation for transport infrastructure and the need to enhance the climate-resilience of transport systems. Publications include a dedicated chapter with a focus on legal issues and regulatory developments as part of UNCTAD’s annual flagship report “Review of Maritime Transport”, as well as substantive analytical reports on topical issues, and contributions to UNCTAD’s Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter.

Cooperation with other agencies and engagement in collaborative efforts and initiatives include, among others UN-Oceans, the IMO, UNCITRAL, UNEP, UNFCCC, UN regional commissions, and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action.

For an historical overview of UNCTAD's activities in the field of shipping, see Beyond Conventional Wisdom in Development Policy: An intellectual history of UNCTAD 1964-2004.