This is not an official estimate of the IMF. Rather, this page presents
an experimental nowcasting model of global maritime trade, leveraging
real-time satellite data on vessel movements. The model aims to provide a
timely indicator of global merchandise trade. Exports and imports are both
valued on a free-on-board (fob) basis. The estimates are updated on a
monthly basis with a lag of 7 working days and are subject to weekly
revisions. For background on the methodology, please see
here. For limitations of the data and approach, please see
here.
Source: Arslanalp S., S. M. Choi, P. Kamali, R. Koepke, M. McKetty, M.
Ruta, M. Saraiva, A. Sozzi, and J. Verschuur (2025), "Nowcasting Global
Trade from Space," IMF Working Paper 25/93.
Updated: