Development of “New Silk Road” Northern Branch through Seaport of Riga in Latvia

AbstractThe study reveals opportunity to develop the “New Silk Road” Northern branch from North-West China (the People's Republic of China) via seaport of Riga in Latvia to Europe. The methods of the study are the monographic method, the statistical analysis, the expert method and a case study. The study shows that the shortest route for the “New Silk Road” Northern branch is through seaport of Riga (Latvia) which is the shortest way from China to the seaport in the European Union. The existing railway infrastructure can be used from Urumqi (North-Western China) to the seaport of Riga. Transit countries for this route are Kazakhstan and Russia. This route could be beneficial for distribution of goods in containers from the North-West China to Scandinavian countries and vice versa. This study contributes to the discussion about trade routes between Europe and China, as well as introduces with development of “New Silk Road” Northern branch