{
  "title": "Tracking Trade from Space: An Application to Pacific Island Countries",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, August 20, 2021",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/08/20/tracking-trade-from-space-an-application-to-pacific-island-countries-464345",
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  "summary": "This paper proposes an easy-to-follow approach to track merchandise trade using vessel data and applies it to Pacific island countries. Pacific islands rely heavily on imports and maritime transport for trade.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Overview and objective",
      "content": "- Proposes an easy-to-follow approach to track merchandise trade using vessel data and applies it to Pacific island countries.\n- Motivations:\n  - Pacific islands rely heavily on imports and maritime transport for trade.\n  - Pacific islands are highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters that pose risks to ports and supply chains.\n- Intended uses:\n  - Complement and help fill gaps in official data.\n  - Provide early warning signs of turning points in economic activity.\n  - Assist policymakers and international organizations to monitor and provide timely responses to shocks (e.g., COVID-19)."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Data sources and methodology",
      "content": "- Uses satellite-based vessel tracking data from the UN Global Platform.\n- Algorithmic advances relative to previous studies include:\n  - Employing ways to overcome challenges with the estimation of cargo payloads.\n  - Using detailed information on shipping liner schedules to validate port calls.\n  - Applying country-specific information to define port boundaries.\n- Constructs daily indicators of port and trade activity for Pacific island countries."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Key findings and applications",
      "content": "- The approach produces daily indicators of port and trade activity that can:\n  - Complement official trade statistics.\n  - Provide early signals of economic turning points.\n  - Help monitor disruptions to supply chains and port activity arising from shocks such as natural disasters and COVID-19."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Policy relevance and recommendations",
      "content": "- Practical uses for policymakers and international organizations:\n  - Monitor and provide timely responses to shocks affecting ports and supply chains.\n  - Use vessel-based daily indicators to detect early warning signs of declines or disruptions in merchandise trade.\n- The method is positioned as a tool to aid monitoring in contexts where official data are limited or delayed.\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- Working Paper\n  - Working Paper (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - Working Paper (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n\n---\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/08/20/tracking-trade-from-space-an-application-to-pacific-island-countries-464345"
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    "Authors: Serkan Arslanalp, Robin Koepke, Jasper Verschuur",
    "Published: August 20, 2021",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513593531.001",
    "Proposes an easy-to-follow approach to track merchandise trade using vessel data and applies it to Pacific island countries.",
    "Motivations:",
    "Intended uses:",
    "Uses satellite-based vessel tracking data from the UN Global Platform.",
    "Algorithmic advances relative to previous studies include:",
    "Constructs daily indicators of port and trade activity for Pacific island countries.",
    "The approach produces daily indicators of port and trade activity that can:",
    "Practical uses for policymakers and international organizations:",
    "The method is positioned as a tool to aid monitoring in contexts where official data are limited or delayed.",
    "**Working Paper**"
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