Research on the connectivity of port infrastructure along the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road

¹ Transportation Planning and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
² Department of Transportation Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning, China

^* Corresponding author: a 13821526441@163.com; b liangjing@dlmu.edu.cn

Abstract

The connectivity construction of the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century has created more opportunities for trade and further promoted maritime trade among countries along the route. As an important hub of the maritime connectivity network, the construction of port infrastructure connectivity is of great significance. Taking the port infrastructure of 30 countries along the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road as an example, this paper analyzes the current state of port connectivity construction in China. It identifies that the port infrastructure connectivity between China and Southeast Asia is the most developed and establishes an indicator system for evaluating the potential for port infrastructure connectivity. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA), it is found that Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and other countries have relatively high port infrastructure connectivity potential. Finally, suggestions are put forward: China should strengthen the connectivity construction of port infrastructure with Europe and prioritize policy exchanges with Germany to align port development strategies and enhance bilateral maritime trade by establishing complementary trade chains.