Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Cross-Border Facilitation Study for the Trans-GTR Transport Corridors (GTI Transport Corridors Study)
Priority Sector: Transport
Project Location: China, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Japan
Timeframe: 2012 – Feb 2013
Estimated Budget: USD 300,000
Source of Funding: GTI
Status: completed in Feb 2013
Background
The development of international transport corridors is currently viewed as a best practice for pursuing regional cooperative activities to enhance seamless transportation within a region. These corridors act as a vehicle for countries to establish efficient intermodal transport and develop the logistics industry, providing opportunities to maintain the region’s competitiveness and increase the benefits of regional trade.
Within NEA, the corridor-based approach to developing a region-wide transport network has been given increased attention since the early 2000s, when the vision of nine regional transportation corridors was introduced by the Transport Subcommittee of the NEA Conference Organizing Committee, supported by the Economic Research Institute for NEA (ERINA) in Japan. The proposed concept aimed at providing the region with a framework for enabling the smooth movement of goods and people across countries in the region, and effective connection to external transport networks.
Since then, UNESCAP, CAREC, the Organization for Railway Cooperation (OSJD), and other international organizations have been involved in the transport corridors’ operationalization in NEA. The practical implementation of the region-wide transport network in NEA, however, still requires intensive additional efforts. Only some of the transport corridors in NEA, the Siberian Land Bridge (Trans-Siberian Railway), the Tianjin – Mongolia Transport Corridor and the China Land Bridge, are being properly promoted through multilateral activities. Cooperation on the development of other intermodal transportation corridors in NEA, in particular those crossing the Greater Tumen Region (GTR), has not been given sufficient support at the regional level. Although individual countries are developing the infrastructures of these routes, the enhanced regional connectivity critically requires strengthened coordination among all the involved stakeholders.
The Tumen River Transport Corridor, Dalian Transport Corridor, Korean Peninsula West and East Corridors, and Suifenhe Transport Corridor pass through the GTR entirely or partially. It would be beneficial for all involved to cooperate more closely in fostering these trans-GTR transport corridors, recognizing their region-wide value and promoting their operationalization on a multilateral basis. The study would be of great use in this regard and could serve as a stepping stone in these cooperative activities in the transport sector of the GTR.
Objective
The objective of this project is to foster the development of a reliable and efficient integrated transport network in the Greater Tumen Region (GTR) through facilitating the activation and development of international transport corridors in the region. More specifically, the study aims to:
- Draw a clear and concerted vision of the present status and potential development of the trans-GTR transport corridors, including current and potential cargo traffic, current and planned projects and existing development plans, existing cross-border practices, etc.
- Reveal the key challenges confronting the activation and development of the trans-GTR transport corridors and recommend possible solutions.
- Develop a strategy and action plan (implementation mechanism) to comprehensively address the identified challenges by planning tasks for the public and private stakeholders.
- Identify key transport projects (for both infrastructure and service) and policy measures (on transit and border-crossing issues) essential for the activation and further development of the trans-GTR transport corridors.
Scope
- Outline the basic data and information on transport sector development in the GTI member countries and Japan, including government policies;
- Review the related infrastructure facilities including railways, roads, seaports, logistics centers, border crossings, dry ports/inland container depots, etc.
- Review cross-border trade and transportation procedures including customs clearance, immigration and quarantine control, border inspection, licensing system, etc.;
- Conduct traffic demand analysis, including forecasts of freight and passenger movements;
- Formulate the vision (optimal network) of main international transport corridors in the GTR and identify the gaps in infrastructure in place and in quality of transport and logistics services;
- Estimate the financial and other requirements needed for implementation of the regional corridor network;
- Propose policy measures and capacity building programs to realize the vision;
- Develop recommendations and an action plan regarding how to proceed with the formalization and operationalization of the transport corridors in the GTR.
Outputs
Upon completion of the GTI Transport Corridor Study, the following outputs are expected to be delivered:
- Regional Summary Report on Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Cross-Border Facilitation Study for the Trans-GTR Transport Corridors;
- Structured and well-balanced Regional Strategy and National Action Plans on how to meet the challenges and address the issues pertaining to the formalization and operationalization of the international transport corridors in the GTR.;
- An Executive Summary Report providing a brief overview of the project results in English and GTI languages (Korean, Chinese, Mongolian and Russian) ;
- Regional Summary Report on Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Cross-Border Facilitation Study for the Trans-GTR Transport Corridors, outlining results of the due diligence of the transport corridors in GTR, passenger and freight traffic forecast for 2020, listing lessons from other regions, suggesting draft for GTI Regional Transport Strategy and Investment Program to achieve strategic objective;
- Five individual country reports, presenting in-detail physical infrastructure of the corridors within GTR part of each member country and on Japan’s west coast, traffic analysis, non-physical infrastructure for transport, each country transport development plans, etc.
Follow-up
- Promote Regional Transport Strategy and National Action plans to be adopted by member countries;
- Organise promotional activities.
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