EASTERN MARITIME CORRIDOR (EMC) (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian shipping Minister recently said India and Russia seek to begin operations on the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC).

Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)

• About: It is a proposed sea route between the Indian port of Chennai and the Russian port of Vladivostok.

oThe corridor is anticipated to reduce the transportation time between Indian and Russian ports in the Far East Region by approximately 40%, decreasing it from the current 40 days to 24 days.

• Current Trade Route: Currently, the trade route connecting Mumbai, India, and St. Petersburg, Russia, spans a distance of 8,675 nautical miles.
• Distance Cover: 5,600 nautical miles, which is significantly shorter than the current route via the Suez Canal.
• Reduced Transport Time: It will significantly decrease the transportation duration for goods traveling from India to Far East Russia, reducing it to 24 days from the current over 40 days.
• Benefits like enhanced Market Access: India will gain improved and more efficient access to the markets of the Far East, including countries like China and Japan, through the EMC, creating shorter trade routes.

Vladivostok

• Situated in: Russia's Far East
• Geographic Location: Positioned on the shores of Golden Horn Bay, it is situated to the north of North Korea and in close proximity to Russia's border with China.
• Prominent Port: Vladivostok serves as the largest port along Russia's Pacific coast and serves as the home base for the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy.