The ‘Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road’ (collectively known as Belt and Road, B&R) has been initiated by the Chinese government in 2013. The B&R is increasingly becoming a focal point for socio-economic–political interests because of its likely impact on land and sea transport and maritime logistics. The aims of this study were threefold: first, to provide an overview on the B&R, focusing on its key structural elements, such as transport corridors, city clusters, dry ports, infrastructure, zoning, and area development; second, to identify the expected impacts of the B&R on trade and implications on structural changes in transportation systems, port networks, and international logistics. Finally, to discuss major research trends and setting up of research agenda which will contribute to enriching the existing literature and shaping the global trade operations and drive economic growth in the context of the B&R.

Sea transport is the backbone of international trade and economy. According to the UNCTAD, maritime transport accounts for about 80 percent of world trade volume, an enormous amount handled daily by ports worldwide. The relationship between port infrastructure and international trade is linked inextricably since ports remain the main gateway for international trade. Therefore, all international ports have as their goal the effective and efficient management of ever increasing cargo. Although some previous research had attempted to investigate the impact of the port efficiency on international trade, we found that some biases remain in their measurement model. In order to correct such biases, this study developed a new port efficiency measurement model using the bootstrapping SBM-DEA. The study then built the linkage model with the international trade by applying the gravity model in consideration with the PPML and MR term. We used and analysed data from 2002–2012 on 23 major container ports in China and the trade data. The result of our robust model shows a more significant and positive impact of port efficiency on international trade than in other models. Thus, this research is expected to fill the research gap in the literature by providing a more robust model for investigating the relationship between port efficiency and international trade and to expand the literature in trade research area.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze maritime logistics connectivity of ports and shipping networks in the East Sea Economic Rim (ESER) to promote international trade in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), considering centrality, primary flow and clustering interaction. Design/methodology/approach: The paper applies a complex network model, using a big data system consisting of an automated identification system, electronic data interchange and distributive and complex data. Three perspectives, including connectivity in trading ports and regions, centralities in the realm of complex network and potential marketing and regional impacts, and sixteen criteria are considered for this analysis. A visual approach has been also applied to highlight port connectivity and ship flows for the reader’s convenience. Findings: The paper shows that port connectivity and maritime logistics are enablers to promote Korean international trade in Northeast China through the ESER, and 25 major ports are well connected to promote international trade in the region with visual data of ship flows by ship type and by flag. Research limitations/implications: Owing to the lack of port management information systems among the countries in the ESER except Korea and Japan, this paper could not capture cargo types and amounts on board. Port connectivity analysis shows links of the ports in the ESER to major ports in southeast Asia along the Twenty-first Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR). These results contribute to drawing policy implications to promote the ESER and provide suggestions for promoting Korean international trade by enhancing maritime logistics connectivity. Originality/value: Unlike the existing literature showing descriptive and policy-oriented research related to ESER, this paper applied a vigorous method with a big amount of data to analyze port connectivity and ship flows in the ESER, considering China’s BRI affecting the global supply chain system, maritime transportation, and logistics. In addition, the paper shows how the seaports in the ESER are connected along the MSR.

Under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has been expanding the operation of its CRE (China Railway Express) system that links China and Europe. The CRE is today regarded as an important measure of progress by which BRI-related goals are achieved, and it has the potential to become the most sustainable mode of long-range transport. The system has been growing rapidly thanks to the active support of the Chinese government. As the Eurasian trade and logistics environment changes, CRE will become increasingly important as a third option that complements air and sea transport, with the demand continuing to accelerate among shippers for CRE service. Despite the expanding role and potential importance of the CRE system, few academic studies have been undertaken on the relevant CRE policies and status, especially in international academic journals. Thus, this study comprehensively reviewed the specific operation status of CRE system by route and region, and identified specific challenges that need to be addressed in order to continue its sustainable development.

The rapid advancement of digital infrastructure has accelerated the rise of the digital economy, now a key driver of industrial transformation. This study investigates how the digital economy influences carbon emission efficiency in the logistics industry, drawing on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2012 and 2021. It further examines the mediating roles of industrial structural upgrading and energy structure, as well as heterogeneity and spatial spillover effects. The digital economy was measured using the entropy method, while carbon emission efficiency was assessed with the super-SBM model, followed by benchmark regression to test inter-factor relationships. The findings reveal a nonlinear relationship between the digital economy and carbon emission efficiency. Specifically, the digital economy enhances efficiency both directly and indirectly by fostering industrial structure upgrading and optimizing energy structure. Significant regional disparities were also identified, with nonlinear spatial spillover effects on neighboring provinces. Unlike prior research, this study employs a more rigorous methodological framework with a focused analysis of the logistics industry. The results enrich academic understanding of the digital economy–carbon emission efficiency nexus and offer practical insights into leveraging digital transformation to promote sustainable and green development in the logistics industry.

This study determines the top fifty authors in China and their university affiliations in the maritime transportation field, compared to their world ranking. We refer to China in the broad sense of the Chinese economies, including not only mainland China and Hong Kong, but also Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Singapore. This study analyzes sixty-five SSCI and SCI journals in the field of maritime and transportation between the years 2000 and 2015. In terms of ranking, three indicators are employed: total number of articles, weighted score (indication of author contribution), and the impact score. With the exception of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, no other universities selected in the first phase of Project 985, which received billions of dollars in government support/aid, were listed in the world ranking. Star authors are deemed to have contributed greatly to the rankings of their affiliated universities. The future of China’s rankings is bright in view of the increasing number of papers being published by Chinese authors and universities and their strong grounding in quantitative methodologies.