Approach and Initial Findings in Modeling Future Seaborne Trade and Its Impact on Energy Demand

International shipping contributes approximately 3% of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, prompting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to aim for net-zero shipping greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 to mitigate climate change. Shipping is a critical link between countries for transporting goods, and its future advancements will hinge primarily on customer demand for goods and regional growth trends. This study has a dual objective. First, this work seeks to establish a methodological framework for forecasting the trajectory of future global trade. Second, it aims to utilize the estimated future seaborne trade to understand the impact on energy demand in the shipping sector across three scenarios.