Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The Maritime Transport Costs (MTC)database contains data from 1991 to the most recent available year of bilateral maritime transport costs. Transport costs are available for 43 importing countries (including EU15 countries as a custom union) from 218 countries of origin at the detailed commodity (6 digit) level of the Harmonized System 1988. This dataset should only be used in conjunction with the paper Clarifying Trade Costs in Maritime Transport which outlines methodology, data coverage and caveats to its use. Key Statistical Concept Import charges represent the aggregate cost of all freight, insurance and other charges (excluding import duties) incurred in bringing the merchandise from alongside the carrier at the port of export and placing it alongside the carrier at the first port of entry in the importing country. Insurance charges are therefore included in the transport cost variables and are estimated to be approximately 1.5% of the import value of the merchandise.

The OECD Sustainable Ocean Economy Database synthesizes available ocean-related datasets and indicators from across the Organisation to improve their discoverability and comparability. The database brings together relevant indicators from the Environment Directorate (ENV), the Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD), the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), the International Transport Forum (ITF), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and others.

Data are collected from Ministries of Transport, national statistical offices and other institutions designated as the official data source. The survey used for this exercise is the "Investment Spending in Transport Infrastructure". The original data is collected in national currency, current values. Data are converted and published in euros, both current and constant (2015 prices). The variables collected include investment, maintenance spending and capital value of road, rail, inland waterways, maritime ports and airports. Data are published annually on 31 March. Data series start in 1995 and continue until the current year-2, or the most recent available data.