An Energy-Focused Alternative and Complementary Route To the Silk Road

Abstract

A route, via ships and underwater electric connectors established across the Caspian Sea, could enable goods from Central Asia to be transported to Turkey and through Turkey to other markets. Natural gas-rich countries could transport gas to European markets via this route by converting their natural gas into LNG. In cases where building LNG installations would be uneconomical, they can export energy directly, by conveying gas-generated electricity via underwater electric connectors across the Caspian Sea or by electricity-generating power ships. With the transformation of this route into a new trade corridor due to energy transportation, other products could also be transported to Europe more easily and this would positively impact their economic development, attract investors and promote regional cooperation. This dynamism may create a new commercial corridor for the global supply chain in the context of the Silk Road concept but separate from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).