Connectivity between Asia and Europe is still mainly dominated by sea routes even though overland transport connections are shorter in terms of distance and twice faster compared to sea freight. This is the result of limitation in efficiency of road and railway transport due, in large part, to complex border-crossing facilities, non-harmonized procedures or different technical standards between countries along the Corridors, as well as lack of transiting traffic rights granted to foreign transporters. Hence, there is still room for improvement, notably on inter and intra-regional connectivity between the Korean Peninsula to Europe through the Eurasian Transport Corridors.
In line with ESCAP’s objective to strengthen the intra- and inter-regional transport connectivity, the secretariat undertook a study project on “Strengthening Connectivity between the Korean Peninsula and Europe through the Eurasian Transport Corridors”. The study aims at identifying main transport routes connecting the Republic of Korea and Europe through the Eurasian Transport Corridors, assessment of infrastructure network quality and operational status, including missing links and operational gaps along the corridors; as well as developing policy recommendations including institutional options to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of international transport and logistics connectivity along the corridors. The study findings are published in the study report.