Transport in the Baltic Sea Region - Perspectives for the Economies in Transition

"Baltic Sea Region" in this study encompasses those countries that were members of the former CMEA, i.e. the economies in transition (EIT) on the Baltic shore. As concerns Russia, only the Kaliningrad and Leningrad oblasts are included. Traffic in the Baltic Sea Region is predominantly maritime traffic. It offers easy, cheap, and efficient transport opportunities. It has done so for centuries, drawing the countries around its coast close together. Hence, the sea has always been an integrating rather than a dividing factor. In this report, mainly such traffic is analysed which is based on international trade between the Baltic Sea countries. It usually crosses the Baltic Sea, and thus passes through their sea-ports. Inland traffic is considered in the study mainly as hinterland traffic to and from the ports. Thus, landborne transport modes have largely to be understood as being complementary to shipping (with some exceptions for Poland).