ITF Transport Outlook 2015: Highlights

The International Transport Forum (ITF) of the OECD has published the Transport Outlook 2015. Gloconomy provides you insight in some of the highlights of the report.

• 7 of the top 10 ports for container traffic are in China
• Air passenger volumes growth in emerging regions outplaced growth in Europe and North America
• Atlanta still busiest airport in the world, followed by Beijing and London
• Dubai fastest grower with +15.2%
• China and India account for nearly 70% of the estimated global rail passenger transport
• Transition economies invest in rail whereas mature economies invest increasingly in rail

Read the full ITF Transport Outlook 2015 report >>

Yangtze River Delta could become dominant hub of China’s knowledge economy

According to research published in the Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, the Yangtze River Delta is best positioned to become the dominant hub of China’s future knowledge economy. 


The article states that China’s spectacular economic growth has been spatially uneven, with much development occurring in eastern coastal areas.
In particular, three metropolitan ‘super-regions’ have become China’s most competitive knowledge-based economies, consisting of the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Gulf Region.
The research indicated that due to multi-dimensional advantages the Yangtze River Delta, incorporating the Shanghai metropolis, is best positioned to become the dominant hub of China’s future knowledge economy. 



Read the full article >>

Source: Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie – 2014, DOI:10.1111/tesg.12065, Vol. 105, No. 3, pp. 241–267.© 2013 Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG

100 Years Panama Canal

Panama celebrates that 100 years ago the Panama canal was opened. Despite this memorable anniversary, future success is far from secure. Competition emerges from the expanding Suez Canal and a possible second canal through Nicaragua.

Read the full article on The Economist >>

Dubai: The Center Of The World?

Dubai might become the center of the world. Again. At least, according to Senior Research Fellow Parag Khanna of the New America Foundation.

Sahara Forest Project

An exiting project in the desert of Qatar: the Sahara Forest Project. It uses solar energy and salt water to produce drinking water and grow vegetables and crops.

This fully self supporting environmental initiative can be the beginning of self supporting mechanisms for countries around the world. Enabling governments to feed and water their entire population. And become independent of traditional energy firms and patterns.

Visit the Sahara Forest Project website >>

Small Boost To Global Airlines Profitability

The combined net profit-margins of the global airline industry will rise to approximately $ 10.6 billion this year. This was announced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday 20th of march.

New synergy as a result of consolidation and more efficient cooperation, improved economic prospects and more demand from the passenger and cargo market will spur the improved growth.

According to the IATA the majority of the profits will come from airlines from the Far East. Followed by North American firms and finally European airlines.

Read the full IATA press release >>