Merchandise trade and trade in commercial services: Trade in commercial services

The transport sector experienced a difficult year in 2015. Container shipping rates fell sharply and the shipping sector suffered from overcapacity due to lower demand in developing economies. Global air freight volumes slowed in particular in Asia and in Europe, reflecting weaker merchandise trade flows. In contrast, cheaper global air fares resulting from collapsing oil prices boosted international air passenger traffic, which rose by 6.5 per cent, a record for the past decade.