The Three Seas Initiative as a Component of India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

Abstrakt

The article presents the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) as a key component of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It analyses the strategic role of transport infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The study explores the impact of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions on the need for alternative trade routes. Special attention is given to Adriatic and Aegean ports such as Koper, Rijeka, and Thessaloniki as potential European endpoints of IMEC, highlighting their links to 3SI infrastructure and the broader TEN-T network. In this article IMEC and 3SI are portrayed not only as a logistics projects, but as a geopolitical tool reshaping regional alliances. The implementation of both may serve as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative by fostering secure and democratic trade connectivity across continents. Furthermore, the 3SI, supported by southern ports and expanding infrastructure along the north–south axis, may significantly improve access to the northernmost EU countries and Scandinavia, enhancing European cohesion and connectivity. This paper also emphasizes the dual-use nature of infrastructure investments, supporting both economic development and military mobility.