maritime andmultimodal transport, particularly through regional institutional mechanisms andco-operative arrangements andtheharmonization ofshipping policy formulation inordertoproduce amorecost-effective shipping service: (e)Todevelop andimprove portservices, partiCUlarly bytheintroduction of technological improvements andmeasures toenhance commercial viability andto improve managerial andtechnical skills; (f)Topromote understanding andco-operation inmUltimodal transport by formulating policies related toitsexpansion, especially containerization, and harmonizing thosepolicies towards thekeyconcept ofanintegrated transport system, takingintoaccount thenewinformation technology: (g)Todevelop, subject todecision oftheCommittee onShipping, international rules,instruments anoagreements onlegalmatters relating tothe economic andcommercial aspects ofmaritime andmultimodal transport, andto harmonize thelegalframework inwhichshipping, portsandmultirnodal transport operations arecarried out. -23- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(b)Courseofactionofthesecretariat 13.53 TheUNCTADsecretariat willcontribute to: (a)Encouraging theefforts ofdeveloping countries todevelop andmanage theirownfleets andtotransport anadequate shareofthecargoes generated by theirforeign trade; (b)Strengthening theco-operation andintegration process amongdeveloping countries inthefieldofshipping ataninterregional, regional andsubregional level, andthebroadening ofopportunities forindustrial diversification and employment inshipping; (c)Harmonizing shipping policyformulation onbothanintra- and interregional basis,withaviewtoenhancing thecost-effectiveness ofshipping services; (d)Facilitating intergovernmental consideration ofmeasures toaddress severe imbalances thatmayoccurfromtimetotimebetween supply anddemand in international shipping, andfactors inhibiting theorderly development ofworld shipping; (e)Promoting abalance ofinterests between shipowners andshippers, with particular regard tomechanisms thatpromote regUlar consultations ontariff structures andservice patterns andotherissuesofparticular interest to shipowners, shippers, portoperators andmultimodal transport operators; (f)Encouraging abetterunderstanding oftheutilization ofthelatest techniques inphysical distribution management andthetransfer ofknowledge to developing countries; (g)Enhancing understanding ofthechanging roleofportsasfuture industrial andservice centres withintheframework ofnational andinternational tradeandtheimprovement ofportperformance indeveloping countries through, interalia,assistance intheimprovement ofportmanagement skills andapplication ofthelegal,administrative andoperative changes required bymoderntransport technologies andnewoperational demands; (h)Enhancing understanding oftheneedforasoundcommercialization of portsindeveloping countries, aswellasforco-operative arrangements withother portsoftheregioninviewoftheheavyfinancial burdens imposed bythechanging roleofports; (i)Promoting indigenous multimodal transport operations andmoderntransport technology, including theuseoftransport-related information technology, in .developing countries; (j)Monitoring andreviewing developments relating tosuchnewtechnologies andtotheeconomic andcommercial effects thereof, particularly indeveloping countries; (k)Adapting existing international legalinstruments andagreements relating totheeconomic andcommercial aspects ofmaritime andmultimodal transport tomeet changing needsinworldseaborne trade; -24- : Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(1)Providing advice andassistance todeveloping countries, onrequest, 'for adapting theirnational legislation intolinewithinternationally agreedlegal regimes inmaritime andmultimodal transport. 13.54Inthefieldofshipping policy, theUNCTADsecretariat will:
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on the development of maritime and multimodal transport, with an emphasis on policy formulation, cooperation, and harmonization among countries. The language used suggests a focus on economic development, particularly in developing countries, and the promotion of cost-effective shipping services. The text also touches on issues related to port management, port performance, and the need for modern transport technology.

**Category**
Transport and communication, International trade