Future Potential of Trans-Caspian Corridor: Review

Riina Palu () and Olli-Pekka Hilmola
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Riina Palu: Kouvola Unit, LUT University, Kauppalankatu 13, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland
Olli-Pekka Hilmola: Kouvola Unit, LUT University, Kauppalankatu 13, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland

Logistics, 2023, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Background: The Middle Corridor, a transport route from Asia to Europe that also facilitates major energy projects through the Caspian Sea and its surrounding countries, has gained even more attention after the intensification of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. Methods: On the basis of major scientific papers on the topic, foreign policy addresses from The Diplomat and studies by the United Nations and Asian Development Bank Institute , a framework with five aspects was created. In addition, two interviews with sector stakeholders were conducted to apply the framework and determine the relevance of the route to Finnish and Estonian economies. Results: A multifaceted overview of the current economic, political, and infrastructural state of the Trans-Caspian trade route is given. The practical value of the article lies in creating a framework for evaluating the route for related economies and testing this out for the Finnish and Estonian economies. Conclusions: Despite the challenges, there are enormous opportunities in this logistics route, especially with the restrictions facing Russia due to western bloc sanctions. Finland and Estonia, however, are suffering under the effects of war in Ukraine and the related sanctions, which has hindered the capacity to further enhance development projects.

Keywords: Middle Corridor; Caspian Sea transport; railways; Belt and Road Initiative; transportation infrastructure; Estonia; Finland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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