## Tracking Trade from Space: An Application to Pacific Island Countries

_IMF Working Papers, August 20, 2021_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Tracking Trade from Space: An Application to Pacific Island Countries](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/08/20/tracking-trade-from-space-an-application-to-pacific-island-countries-464345)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/08/20/tracking-trade-from-space-an-application-to-pacific-island-countries-464345/index.md)
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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Serkan Arslanalp, Robin Koepke, Jasper Verschuur
- Published: August 20, 2021
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513593531.001

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### Overview and objective
- Proposes an easy-to-follow approach to track merchandise trade using vessel data and applies it to Pacific island countries.
- Motivations:
  - Pacific islands rely heavily on imports and maritime transport for trade.
  - Pacific islands are highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters that pose risks to ports and supply chains.
- Intended uses:
  - Complement and help fill gaps in official data.
  - Provide early warning signs of turning points in economic activity.
  - Assist policymakers and international organizations to monitor and provide timely responses to shocks (e.g., COVID-19).

### Data sources and methodology
- Uses satellite-based vessel tracking data from the UN Global Platform.
- Algorithmic advances relative to previous studies include:
  - Employing ways to overcome challenges with the estimation of cargo payloads.
  - Using detailed information on shipping liner schedules to validate port calls.
  - Applying country-specific information to define port boundaries.
- Constructs daily indicators of port and trade activity for Pacific island countries.

### Key findings and applications
- The approach produces daily indicators of port and trade activity that can:
  - Complement official trade statistics.
  - Provide early signals of economic turning points.
  - Help monitor disruptions to supply chains and port activity arising from shocks such as natural disasters and COVID-19.

### Policy relevance and recommendations
- Practical uses for policymakers and international organizations:
  - Monitor and provide timely responses to shocks affecting ports and supply chains.
  - Use vessel-based daily indicators to detect early warning signs of declines or disruptions in merchandise trade.
- The method is positioned as a tool to aid monitoring in contexts where official data are limited or delayed.

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## Content in this bundle

- **Working Paper**
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  - [Working Paper (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/wp/2021/english/wpiea2021225-print-pdf.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/08/20/tracking-trade-from-space-an-application-to-pacific-island-countries-464345_