ABSTRACT
Trade between countries has grown at an unparalleled rate over the last 40 years, with no signs of slowing. The maritime and port industries have responded with innovations, investment, and increased productivity as a result of increased trade. International trade and maritime trade are interchangeable terms, and knowing the factors that influence international trade is crucial to understanding maritime trade. We present a survey of the international trade literature in this work, with a focus on trade determinants and trade modeling evolution. Then, in the context of major determinants, we provide a general summary of trade’s scope and growth.