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News: Geopolitical disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea have highlighted India’s need for safer and diversified energy routes like Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC).
About Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)
- The Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) is also called the Chennai-Vladivostok Sea Route.
- It connects South India with Russia’s Far East.
- Origin: It was launched in 2019 by India and Russia at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
- It passes through the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, South China Sea, Malacca Strait, Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
- It then reaches Chennai through the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
- Key Features:
- Shorter Distance: The route covers about 5,647 nautical miles (10,458 km), reducing the distance by up to 40% compared with the traditional route.
- Reduced Transit Time: The EMC takes about 24 days, compared with 40 days on the traditional route, saving up to 16 days.
- Access to Russia’s Far East: The Vladivostok Port provides India with access to the resource-rich Russian Far East.
- Energy Security: The EMC can help reduce India’s exposure to maritime chokepoints by providing an alternative route for trade and energy supplies from Russia.
- Lower Freight Cost: Ocean freight through the EMC is expected to be more than 50% cheaper than the Suez route because of its shorter distance and absence of canal transit charges.
- Trade Potential: India and Russia have linked the corridor with their goal of achieving US$100 billion annual bilateral trade by 2030.
