Overview
The purpose of these global organisations is to provide a system to:
The Main Trade Organisations
A variety of international trade organisations underpin the global shipping industry.
• The World Trade Organisation is the largest, with 164 member countries, followed by the European Union with 27 members. OPEC rounds out the top three with 14 member states.
• The United Nations conceived legislation in 1947 to reduce tariffs between countries. The principal regulations formed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or, GATT. It aimed to create a more beneficial international trade environment for member states.
• Over the next few decades, GATT was re-negotiated and became part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995. It remains active under the WTO to this day.
Other Organisations of Note
