Integration of foreign trade and maritime transport statistics in Spain

This article aims to contribute to improving maritime trade data by analysing the possibility of integrating in a single enlarged databank two different databases: the Spanish foreign trade and maritime transport datasets. The methodology adopted consisted of studying the primary sources providing data compiled in the foreign trade and maritime traffic databases, analysing the electronic processes used by informants and data collectors and examining the linkages between the different electronic messages involved. Once the links between the trade and sea transport documents and electronic messages were found, a solution for integrating both databases was envisaged. The main outcome is a new …