The Chennai Vladivostok eastern maritime corridor has become operational and is carrying oil, food and machines, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said at the Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue.

• He also says that India and Greece would work together on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) announced last year.

About Chennai Vladivostok Maritime Corridor (VCMC)

• The Chennai Vladivostok Maritime Corridor (VCMC) is a proposed sea route that connects the ports of Chennai and Vladivostok, and is part of the Eastern Maritime Corridor.
  • The route will pass through the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, the Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
  • The Eastern Maritime Corridor connects ports on India’s east coast with ports in the far-east region of Russia
• Background: The VCMC was signed in 2019 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit to Vladivostok, Russia. 
• Location: Vladivostok is Russia’s largest port on the Pacific Ocean, and is located about 50 kilometres from the China-Russia border. 
• Distance: The VCMC is about 5,600 nautical miles long. 
• Purpose: The VCMC aims to improve trade relations between India and Russia, and provide a more cost-effective way to transport goods between the two countries. 
• Benefits: The VCMC could reduce the time it takes to transport cargo between the two countries by up to 16 days. 
  • The Mumbai-St. Petersburg route via the Western Sea Route and Suez Canal spans 8,675 nautical miles, taking 40 days for a container ship to reach Russia’s Far East region.
• Significance: The VCMC could be a strategic move for India and Russia, and could potentially alter the regional balance of power. 
  • However, there are also security implications to consider, such as the potential for heightened tensions in the South China Sea. 

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About India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) was announced during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the European Union and seven countries, namely India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, and Italy.
• Purpose:
• • The IMEEC aims to establish a reliable and cost-effective ship-to-rail transit network to complement existing maritime routes.
  • The corridor is intended to enhance trade efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, and foster economic cooperation.
  • It will also help in generating employment opportunities and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
• Structure:
  • The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors:
    • The Eastern Corridor will connect India to the Gulf.
    • The Northern Corridor will link the Gulf to Europe.
  • The corridor will include:
    • A shipping route connecting Mumbai and Mundra (Gujarat) to the UAE.
    • A rail network connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan with the Israeli port of Haifa, leading to the Mediterranean Sea.
    • A sea route from Haifa to Piraeus (Greece) and onward to Europe.
  • Additional infrastructure will include undersea cables for data transmission and long-distance hydrogen pipelines to support climate and decarbonization goals.