Over 13 countries are now providing financial support to the shipping industry, with cruise and ferry operators the largest recipients. The International Transport Forum (ITF) evaluated 17 support packages, and nine were related to passenger shipping.

Over €8.3bn ($9.8bn) in state support to shipping companies was identified ranging from the reduction of port dues to tax reductions and liquidity support. ITF found few conditions applied to this funding, which has been deployed in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is uncommon for aid packages customarily offered in the past.