A Route-Based Simulation of CPEC Logistics Efficiency between China and GCC Ports

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Using geographic data, descriptive statistics, and scenario-based comparisons, the analysis contrasts an existing logistics configuration combining overland transport from Kashgar to Shanghai with maritime shipping to GCC ports, with an alternative CPEC-enabled route linking Kashgar to Gwadar by land and Gwadar to GCC ports by sea. Transportation costs and transit times are estimated for a standard 40-foot container under transparent and replicable assumptions. The results indicate substantial reductions in logistics costs and travel time under the CPEC scenario, driven primarily by shorter overland distances and significantly reduced maritime sailing distances from the GCC ports. On average, the simulated CPEC route reduces total transportation costs by approximately 48% and transit time by about 58% compared with the baseline route. China–GCC logistics CPEC transport cost travel time trade facilitation Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 1 Introduction The BRI is one of the most influential global development programmes, created to promote economic expansion across a wide geographical area and multiple sub-regions. Since its introduction in 2013, almost 140 countries and more than 30 international organisations have joined the initiative. Over the past eight years, trade for China and BRI partner economies has surpassed US $ 9.2 trillion, and China’s cumulative direct investment in participating states has exceeded US $ 130 billion, positioning the BRI as the largest and most inclusive platform for international cooperation [ 1 ]. A central objective of the initiative is to reduce barriers to cross-border trade by expanding networks in transport, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure. Nevertheless, BRI is an extensive and complex initiative whose potential impacts and influence on trade remain unclear. The crucial challenge is that trade is choked off by many obstacles across different countries, such as distance, transport costs, borders, partnership, and political and cultural barriers. Under this framework, China and its BRI partners are investing heavily in improving transport infrastructure. The BRI is organized into five main routes, encompassing six economic corridors, each of which plays a significant role, whether over land or by sea [ 2 ]. Among these, the CPEC stands out due to its strategic location. It is unique in offering landlocked regions direct access to the sea [ 3 ]. The CPEC route connects Kashgar in western China with the port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. This corridor provides China with an alternative trade route to Europe, Africa, and other Western markets, while also ensuring uninterrupted access to oil imports from Middle Eastern countries [ 4 ]. Beyond trade, the corridor is expected to foster new transport infrastructure, strengthen links with Asia, Europe, and Africa, support a more robust business environment, and help reduce barriers to investment and commerce [ 5 ]. CPEC also aims to secure safe shipping lanes when considering the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. By connecting China to almost half of the world’s population, and with the development of the Gwadar port, China could enable both commercial and naval vessels to bypass the congested Strait of Malacca [ 6 ]. Previous research on the CPEC has mostly focused on macroeconomic outcomes, geopolitical ramifications, and general trade indicators, often without specifically measuring logistics performance at the route level. Few studies provide clear, repeatable estimates of how different corridor layouts affect transportation costs, travel times, and distances at the cargo level. However, transport infrastructure is widely acknowledged as a critical factor influencing trade competitiveness. By developing a route-based modeling methodology that compares baseline and CPEC-enabled logistics routes between western China and GCC ports, this article fills this gap and provides a corridor-level evaluation of the potential trade facilitation from lower logistics frictions. 2 Literature Review 2.1Corridor, Land-Bridge, and Intermodal Transport Concepts Over the past 20 years, research on land-bridge routes and intermodal freight transport has greatly increased. In order to increase efficiency and flexibility, intermodal freight systems were designed as interconnected networks incorporating road, rail, and maritime modes in early foundational research by Bontekoning and Macharis [ 7 , 8 ]. Building on this paradigm, Rodrigue et al. [ 9 ] divided land-bridge routes into three categories based on the spatial arrangement of inland and maritime segments: land bridges, mini bridges, and micro bridges. The strategic relevance of land-bridge corridors in easing traffic on conventional maritime routes and reducing delivery times, especially for time-sensitive cargo, was highlighted in subsequent studies [ 10 – 11 ]. Additionally, intermodal corridors have been investigated as alternatives to lengthy ocean routes, such as the Panama Canal, where some cargo flows can be expedited by overland transportation across the United States [ 12 ]. Similar corridor-based projects, such as the Great Equatorial Land Bridge in Africa [ 13 , 14 ], Thailand's Andaman-Gulf land-bridge project [ 15 ] and the Saudi land-bridge railway between Jeddah and Dammam[ 16 ], have been planned or implemented in other areas. Together, these studies demonstrate how corridor-based logistics systems can save transportation costs, times, and distances by enhancing intermodal connectivity. 2.1.1 Transport Cost and Travel Time as Trade Frictions A significant amount of research indicates that transportation cost, trip time, and distance are the main obstacles influencing trade performance, aside from corridor design. While Eaton and Kortum [ 17 ] and Ghemawat [ 18 ] stress that distance still plays a key role in determining bilateral trade patterns, Limão and Venables [ 19 ] show that increased transport costs especially for landlocked economies significantly affect trade volumes. Higher freight costs, longer inventory holding times, and decreased supply-chain dependability are just a few of the ways that transportation related frictions manifest. While Halaszovich and Kinra [ 20 ] demonstrate that national transport systems and logistics performance have a substantial impact on international trade and foreign direct investment, studies like Lam and Small [ 21 ] emphasize the economic significance of time and dependability in transport decisions. Within this context, corridor investments are frequently assessed based on their potential to lower transit time and logistical costs in addition to their capacity to reduce physical distance. Route-level simulations of time and cost reductions offer important insights into how infrastructure upgrades may enhance trade by reducing these frictions, even in the absence of formal gravity-model estimation [ 22 – 23 ] . 2.2 CPEC-Focused Studies and the Remaining Measurement Gap A significant body of research indicates that transportation costs, trip time, and distance are the main obstacles influencing trade performance, aside from corridor design. While Eaton and Kortum [ 17 ] and Ghemawat [ 18 ] stress that distance still plays a key role in determining bilateral trade patterns, Limão and Venables [ 19 ] show that increased transport costs, especially for landlocked economies, significantly affect trade volumes. Higher freight costs, longer inventory holding times, and decreased supply-chain dependability are just a few of the ways transportation-related frictions manifest. While Halaszovich and Kinra [ 20 ] demonstrate that national transport systems and logistics performance have a substantial impact on international trade and foreign direct investment, studies such as Lam and Small [ 21 ] emphasize the economic significance of time and dependability in transport decisions. Within this context, corridor investments are frequently assessed based on their potential to reduce transit time and logistical costs in addition to their capacity to reduce physical distance. Route-level simulations of time and cost reductions offer important insights into how infrastructure upgrades may enhance trade by reducing these frictions, even in the absence of formal gravity-model estimation [ 22 – 23 ]. 3 Methodology The efficiency of transport systems has become a central subject in policy debates in countries and on the international stage due to the growing focus on transportation costs and their impact on trade [ 20 ]. The study of transport infrastructure will enable operators to gain more insight into the capabilities and resources of various transport modes, compare and contrast their pros and cons, and make informed decisions. Global trade cannot take place without efficient transport, as the flow of goods between exporters and importers would be hindered without proper logistics. The study of transport costs is also a relatively new area of the transportation research community [ 21 ]. However, it has gained momentum with the growth of international shipping and offers the advantage of competitive freight rates and efficient routes [ 18 ]. Some aspects are considered very important, especially when looking at the elements of trade, including distance, travel time, and transport costs. To trade easily, countries are seeking the shortest routes that reduce costs and time, thereby increasing returns and encouraging investment in transport infrastructure. One of them is an adequate infrastructure that goes the extra mile to save time and reduce freight-related costs [ 29 ]. Importing and exporting goods on a large scale is impossible without shipping networks [ 30 ]. China places a high priority on securing its oil supply chain, since it is among the two largest consumers of energy [ 30 , 31 ] Much of China’s oil imports use the route Strait of Malacca, which represents a potential bottleneck due to a combination of factors such as regional disputes, navigational hazards, piracy, reefs, typhoons, and the strait’s limited width and depth [ 32 , 2 ].To address these vulnerabilities, China is pursuing alternative deep-sea routes and investing in port infrastructure to enhance the accessibility of goods and services. Developing safer, shorter, and more cost-effective maritime routes within BRI countries not only helps China diversify its oil supply but also supports broader trade growth along these corridors. By creating multiple viable pathways, China can reduce its reliance on the Malacca Strait, which remains the primary route for oil and liquefied natural gas imports [ 32 – 33 ]. In 2023, China’s trade overall was 5.9 trillion dollars [ 34 ]. In China, the GCC trade continues to gain momentum in 2023, driven by increased cooperation in the energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors. Trade between China and the GCC has increased more than twofold in the past few years, reaching approximately 286 billion in 2023, an indication of closer economic relationships under the banner of China’s BRI. The two are negotiating a free trade agreement to deepen trade relations, and mutual investments in clean energy, the digital economy, and logistics infrastructure are becoming increasingly relevant [ 3 ]. China primarily imports significant goods, such as crude oil, from the GCC, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE among its largest suppliers. In return, China exports a range of goods to the GCC, including electronics, machinery, clothing, furniture, and construction materials, which align with the Gulf's growing demand for technology and essential materials to support its development projects. These trade exchanges highlight a mutually beneficial partnership, as both China and the GCC pursue economic diversification and long-term sustainability goals. Table 1 presents trade between China and GCC countries. Figure 5 shows that China’s total trade volume with GCC countries is about $ 286 billion, with Saudi Arabia at $ 107 billion, the UAE at $ 95 billion, Kuwait at $ 22.4 billion, Oman at $ 35.1 billion, Qatar at $ 24.53 billion, and Bahrain at $ 1.738 billion [ 34 ]. Table 1 GCC countries and China trade volume 2023 (billion dollars) Country Trade Volume Export Import Saudi Arabia 107,226 64,369 42,856 UEA 94,977 39,291 55,686 Kuwait 22,390 17,165 5,224 Oman 35,074 31,276 3,798 Bahrain 1,738 0,192 1,546 Qatar 24,533 20,896 3,636 China ranked as the world’s leading exporter in 2023, accounting for 17% of global exports. Its total export value for the year reached USD 3.380 trillion [ 34 ]. Within the GCC, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are China’s principal export destinations. China’s major outbound products to these two countries include computers, broadcasting equipment, and related electronic goods. The details of China’s export flows to GCC states are illustrated in Table 1 and Fig. 2 . China was the world’s third-largest importer in 2023, accounting for 12% of global import activity. Its total import value for the year reached USD 2.556 trillion [ 34 ]. Within the GCC, the UAE and Saudi Arabia stand out as China’s primary import partners. China’s purchases from the region are dominated by crude petroleum. Table 1 and Fig. 3 provide an overview of China’s import patterns from GCC countries. As illustrated in Fig. 3 , China’s imports from Saudi Arabia amount to approximately USD 64.369 billion, from the UAE to USD 39.291 billion, from Oman to USD 31.276 billion, from Kuwait to USD 17.165 billion, from Qatar to USD 20.896 billion, and from Bahrain to USD 0.192 billion. This study investigates the impact of CPEC, especially when considering key aspects such as transport costs, travel time, and distance. This project will create new transport infrastructure, provide a more reliable cost trade route, balance cost and security, and improve China’s links with GCC countries. Also, the impact of the expected improvement in transport infrastructure on bilateral trade between China and GCC countries, the study of the role of CPEC, and the assessment of transport costs, travel time, and distance for trade are examined. A combination of geographic information, qualitative assessment, and descriptive statistical techniques is applied to determine the decreases in transport costs, travel time, and distance. The analysis begins by mapping the existing transport network, including the overland route from Kashgar to Shanghai and the maritime routes from Shanghai to the major GCC ports. Using this baseline, transport costs, distances, and times are calculated for each origin-destination pair. An alternative scenario is then constructed by incorporating the planned CPEC infrastructure, specifically the Kashgar–Gwadar roadway and the Gwadar–GCC seaway routes. Comparing the current system with the improved CPEC network enables measurement of reductions in transport costs, travel duration, and overall distance. Route distances for road transport were obtained using Google Maps[ 35 ], reflecting the shortest feasible trucking routes between the origin and port nodes. Maritime distances between ports were derived from online port-routing databases. Total route distance for scenario s is calculated as: $$\:{\varvec{D}}_{\varvec{S}}={D}_{road}+{D}_{sea}$$ where: \(\:{D}_{road}\) = overland distance \(\:{D}_{sea}\) = maritime distance Transportation costs are calculated separately for road and sea segments. Road transport cost for scenario s is computed as: $$\:\:\left({C}_{road,s}={D}_{road,s}\times\:{R}_{road,s}\right)$$ where: \(\:{C}_{road,s}\) = per-kilometer trucking cost (USD/km) A base rate of USD 0.45 per km is used, reflecting average quotations from multiple road transport providers. To address uncertainty, robustness checks are conducted using a ± 20% range around the base rate. Maritime transport costs are based on container freight rates for a 40-foot container: $$\:\left({C}_{sea,s}={\text{Ϝ}}_{port}\right)$$ where: \(\:{\text{Ϝ}}_{port}\) represents port-to-port freight charges Base estimates use June 2023 quoted rates from major shipping lines. To account for freight-rate volatility, sensitivity analysis is conducted using ± 30% and ± 50% variations. Total transport cost for each scenario is calculated as: $$\:\left({C}_{s}={C}_{road,s}\times\:{C}_{sea,s}\right)$$ Travel time is calculated separately for road and sea transport, incorporating operational delays. Scheduled road travel time is calculated as: $$\:{\text{Т}}_{road,s}^{sched}=\frac{{D}_{road,s}}{{v}_{road,s}}$$ where: \(\:{v}_{road,s}\) average trucking speed (km/h) An average speed of 40 km/h is assumed, reflecting mixed terrain conditions. Robustness checks use ± 25% variations in speed. To account for operational delays (rest requirements, congestion, weather), daily delay hours are added: $$\:{T}_{road,s}={T}_{road,s}^{sched}+{T}_{deley,s}$$ Baseline delays are set at: 8 hours/day for the Kashgar–Shanghai route 10 hours/day for the Kashgar–Gwadar route Maritime travel time is calculated as: $$\:{T}_{sea,s\:}=\frac{{D}_{sea,s}}{{v}_{sea}}$$ where: \(\:{v}_{sea}\) = average vessel speed A conservative average speed of 12 knots is applied to all routes to ensure comparability. Total travel time for scenarios is: $$\:{T}_{s}={T}_{road,s}+{T}_{sea,s}$$ To ensure the robustness of results, sensitivity analysis is conducted across key parameters: Parameter Base Value Variation Road cost rate $ 0.45/km ± 20% Road speed 40 km/h ± 25% Sea freight rates June 2023 ± 30%, ± 50% Road delays 8–10 hrs/day ± 2 hrs/day This approach allows assessment of whether cost and time advantages persist under alternative assumptions. 4 Estimation of Transport Cost and Travel Time of CPEC The proposed exit and new routes with reference to CPEC are divided into two segments: a roadway section and a seaway section. The roadway portion starts in Kashgar, China, and continues to the Port of Shanghai, while the seaway segment begins at Shanghai and continues to various destination ports in the GCC region. For the purpose of estimating distance, transport costs, and travel time for a 40-foot standard container, the container is assumed to move overland from Kashgar to Shanghai and then be shipped by sea to the final GCC ports. Figure 4 illustrates the exit route used in this assessment. 4.1 Transport cost 4.1.1. Exit Route Transport Cost. According to Google Maps [ 35 ], the total distance between Kashgar and Shanghai Port is approximately 5,100 kilometers. Figure 5 illustrates this exit route. Since transport costs vary across different local providers and modes, a standardized approach is used to estimate the cost of moving a 40-foot standard container. By collecting per-kilometer charges from multiple local transporters, an average rate of $ 0.45 per kilometer was determined for trucking. Using this figure, domestic transport costs were calculated. Table 2 shows that the estimated cost to transport a 40-foot container from the origin, Kashgar, to the destination port, Shanghai, is $ 2,295. Table 2 Road Coast freight inside China (Kashgar - Shanghai) Origin point Destination point Distance in Km Transport cost Average cost p/km Kashgar in China Shanghai in China 5100 $ 2295 $ 0.45 4.1.2. Transport Cost of Exit Route The estimation of sea-freight charges from the Port of Shanghai to GCC region Ports (Fig. 6 ) was based on rate information provided by MSC, CMA CGM, Freightos, Hapag-Lloyd, and China Shipping [ 36 ]. These rates fluctuate frequently and were valid for a limited period. The figures used in this study reflect prices applicable during June 2023. Table 3 summarises the shipping costs for a 40-foot standard container on the routes between the origin and the respective GCC destination ports. Table 3 Transport cost of seaway (origin is Shanghai) Country Origin port Destination port Transport cost $ UAE Shanghai Abu Dhabi 1150 Saudi Arabia Shanghai Jeddah 1150 Oman Shanghai Salalah 1100 Bahrain Shanghai Mina Salman 1150 Kuwait Shanghai Shuwaikh 1250 Qatar Shanghai Hamad 1150 4.1.3 Exit Route Total Coast of Transport To determine the overall cost of transport for road and sea movements, the cost of moving a 40-ft container, especially from Kashgar to the destination, Shanghai (shown in Table 3 ), is combined with the shipping cost from Shanghai to the GCC ports (shown in Table 2 ). These aggregated figures are summarised in Table 4 . Table 4 Total transport cost of the 40-foot container Country Origin port Destination port Transport cost seaway $ Transport cost roadway $ Total transport Cost $ UEA Kashgar Abu Dhabi 1150 2295 3445 Saudi Arabia Kashgar Jeddah 1150 2295 3445 Oman Kashgar Salalah 1100 2295 3395 Bahrain Kashgar Mina Salman 1150 2295 3445 Kuwait Kashgar Shuwaikh 1250 2295 3545 Qatar Kashgar Hamad 1150 2295 3445 4.2. Estimation of Transport Cost of New CEPC The updated CPEC route includes two main components: a land route and a sea route. The land segment runs from Kashgar, located in western China’s Xinjiang province, specifically to Gwadar port (Fig. 7 ). In contrast, the sea segment extends from Gwadar to various destination ports in the GCC countries (Fig. 8 ). Transport costs and travel times were calculated for a 40-foot container moving from Kashgar as the origin to Gwadar as the destination, and then onward to the ports in the GCC, providing a comprehensive estimate of the full journey. Figure 7 shows the overland route connecting Kashgar in the western part of China to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. According to Google Maps [ 36 ], the distance between these two points is approximately 2,800 km. Because transport charges vary across local carriers and vehicle types, a standardised rate was applied for estimating the cost of moving a 40-foot container. Based on average prices across multiple road-transport providers, the cost was set at $ 0.45 per kilometre. Table 5 outlines the resulting freight estimate, which amounts to $ 1,260 for a 40-foot container from Kashgar to Gwadar. Table 5 Road cost of the container from Kashgar to Gwadar Origin Destination point Distance in Km Transport cost Average cost p/km Kashgar in China Gwadar in Pakistan 2800 $ 1260 $ 0.45 4.2.1 Transport Cost of New CEPC (Gwadar to Ports in GCC) The maritime transport costs from Gwadar Port to destination ports in the EU and MENA regions are sourced from MSC, CMA, and China Shipping [ 36 ]. These freight rates are subject to short-term fluctuations. Table 6 provides the transport costs for shipping a 40-foot container by sea from the origin port to the respective destination ports. Table 6 Transport cost of seaway (gwadar to ports in GCC countries) Country Origin Destination Transport cost $ UAE Gwadar Abu Dhabi 410 Saudi Arabia Gwadar Jeddah 635 Oman Gwadar Salalah 360 Bahrain Gwadar Mina Salman 435 Kuwait Gwadar Shuwaikh 435 Qatar Gwadar Hamad 410 4.2.2 Total Transport Cost of New CEPC To determine the total transportation cost for both road and sea movement, the cost of moving a 40-ft standard container from Kashgar to Gwadar (Table 5 ) is combined with the maritime shipping cost from Shanghai to the respective GCC destination ports (Table 6 ). Adding these two components provides a comprehensive estimate of the full logistics expense across the integrated route. The consolidated transportation costs derived from this calculation are presented in Table 7 , offering a clear overview of the total cost structure for each destination. Table 7 Total transport cost of Seaway and Roadway for new CEPC Country Origin port Destination port Transport cost seaway $ Transport cost roadway $ Total transport Cost $ UEA Kashgar Abu Dhabi 410 1260 1670 Saudi Arabia Kashgar Jeddah 635 1260 1895 Oman Kashgar Salalah 360 1260 1620 Bahrain Kashgar Mina Salman 435 1260 1695 Kuwait Kashgar Shuwaikh 435 1260 1695 Qatar Kashgar Hamad 410 1260 1670 4.3 Travel Time 4.3.1 Travel Time of the Exit Route (Kashgar to Shanghai) The travel time for the roadway segment was estimated by averaging the vehicle’s speed along the route from Kashgar to Shanghai. Vehicle speeds were assumed to range from 80 km/h on well-maintained roads to 30 km/h on hilly or rough terrain, resulting in an overall average speed of 40 km/h for the calculation. The total distance was obtained from Google Maps [ 35 ]. Based on these parameters, Table 8 shows that transporting a 40-foot standard container from Kashgar to Shanghai would take approximately 5.31 days. Table 8 Travel time while using road transport Road travel time Distance in Km Travel time /day Average speed From Kashgar to Shanghai 5100 127.5 hours = 5.31 days 40 k/h However, several factors can contribute to longer travel times, including adverse weather, traffic congestion, driver rest requirements, and other operational delays. To account for these factors and to estimate a realistic delay of 8 hours per day, Table 9 presents the delay period for transporting a 40-foot container from Kashgar, the origin, to the Port of Shanghai, the destination. Table 9 Road shipping Delay Period Delay period Travel time Delay in travel time Daily delay travel time 127.5 hours = 5.32 days 42.56 hours = 1.78 days 8 hours To determine the total travel time for a 40-ft standard container from Kashgar to Shanghai, the baseline transit time shown in Table 8 is combined with the delay period reported in Table 9 . The final totals are summarised in Table 10 . Table 10 Total Road transport travel time Travel time Delay in travel time Total Road travel time 5.32 days 1.78 days 7.10 days 4.3.2 Travel Time of Exit Route (Shanghai to Ports in GCC) To estimate sea travel time from Shanghai Port to other ports, especially within the GCC countries, an online port software [ 37 ] was used. The calculation assumed an average vessel speed of 12 knots, accounting for factors such as weather conditions, ocean currents, and other navigational challenges that can slow the journey [ 37 ]. Table 11 shows the estimated number of days required for shipping at this speed. Table 11 Seaborne transit duration from Shanghai to ports located within GCC nations. Country Origin port Destination port Sea travel time / day Speed Distance in nautical miles UEA Shanghai Abu Dhabi 20 12 knots 5659 Saudi Arabia Shanghai Jeddah 23 12 knots 6558 Oman Shanghai Salalah 19 12 knots 5383 Bahrain Shanghai Mina Salman 23 12 knots 6578 Kuwait Shanghai Shuwaikh 21 12 knots 5897 Qatar Shanghai Hamad 20 12 knots 5679 Total travel time is arrived at through the consideration of the total roadway and seaway travel time, as shown in Table 12 . Table 12 Total travel time of current route from ( Kashgar to ports in GCC Countries ) Country Origin point Destination port Sea travel time / day Road travel time/ day Total travel time UEA Kashgar Abu Dhabi 20 7.10 27.10 Saudi Arabia Kashgar Jeddah 23 7.10 30.10 Oman Kashgar Salalah 19 7.10 26.10 Bahrain Kashgar Mina Salman 23 7.10 30.10 Kuwait Kashgar Shuwaikh 21 7.10 28.10 Qatar Kashgar Hamad 20 7.10 27.10 4.3.3 Travel Time of New CEPC (Kashgar to Gwadar) The roadway transit time between Kashgar and Gwadar Port is determined by applying an average vehicle speed to the total route distance. Because trucks can travel up to 80 km/h on paved and level sections but slow to around 30 km/h in mountainous or uneven terrain, an overall average speed of 40 km/h is used for the calculation. Based on this, Table 13 indicates that transporting a 40-foot container from Kashgar to Gwadar takes approximately 2.91 days. Table 13 Road travel time Road travel time Distance in Km Travel time /day Average speed Kashgar to Gwadar 2800 70 hours = 2.92 days 40 k/h However, several factors can contribute to longer travel times, including adverse weather, traffic congestion, driver rest requirements, and other operational delays. To account for these factors and estimate a realistic 10-hour-per-day delay, Table 14 presents the delay period for transporting a 40-foot standard container from Kashgar to the Port of Shanghai. Table 14 Delay in Road Travel Time Delay period Travel time Delay in travel time Daily delay travel time 2.92 29.2 hours = 1.22 10 hours To determine the overall transit duration for a 40-foot standard container moving from the origin, Kashgar, to the destination Gwadar Port, the travel times listed in Table 13 are combined with the delay periods shown in Table 14 . The final consolidated results appear in Table 15 . Table 15 Total Road travel time travel time delay in travel time Total Road travel time 70 hours = 2.92day 29.2 hours = 1.22 day 4.14 day 4.3.4 Travel Time of New CEPC (Gwadar to ports in GCC) To determine the maritime travel time from Gwadar Port to various GCC destination ports, online routing software [ 36 ] was consulted. An average vessel speed of 12 knots was applied, as factors such as atmospheric depressions and weather variability can reduce sailing speeds [ 37 ]. Table 16 outlines the estimated number of days required for each route based on this 12-knot speed. Table 16 Travel time for seaway (Gwadar to ports in ports in GCC countries) Country Origin port Destination port Sea travel time / day Speed Distance in nautical miles UEA Gwadar Abu Dhabi 4.5 12 knots 884 Saudi Arabia Gwadar Jeddah 9 12 knots 2366 Oman Gwadar Salalah 3.5 12 knots 968 Bahrain Gwadar Mina Salman 5 12 knots 1122 Kuwait Gwadar Shuwaikh 5 12 knots 1287 Qatar Gwadar Hamad 4.6 12 knots 897 Total travel time is arrived at through the consideration of the total roadway and seaway travel time, as shown in Table 17 . Table 17 Total travel time of new route from Gwadar to ports in GCC countries Country Origin point Destination port Sea travel time / day Road travel time/ day Total travel time UEA Kashgar Abu Dhabi 4.5 4.14 8.64 Saudi Arabia Kashgar Jeddah 9 4.14 13.14 Oman Kashgar Salalah 3.5 4.14 7.54 Bahrain Kashgar Mina Salman 5 4.14 9.14 Kuwait Kashgar Shuwaikh 5 4.14 9.14 Qatar Kashgar Hamad 4.6 4.14 8.74 5 Results and Discussion The CPEC route is associated with a significant reduction in transportation costs, according to comparative research. According to Table 18 , a container via the current route typically costs about $ 3,560, whereas shipping it via the new CPEC route under the modelled scenario costs $ 1,865. With an average savings of $ 1,695 per container, representing a reduction of 47.6% reduction. Ports in Abu Dhabi and Hamad have the largest cost reductions (52%) linked to maritime distance from Gwadar. Each container saves $ 1,775 using the revised route. This reduction is primarily driven by the substantially lower maritime freight cost from Gwadar to Abu Dhabi/Hamad ( $ 410) relative to Shanghai ( $ 1,150). Jeddah’s savings of $ 1,550 (45%) remain substantial, although the proportional reduction is slightly lower than that observed for the UAE and Qatar. This is because, even though it remains much cheaper than the route between Shanghai and Jeddah ( $ 1,150), marine freight between Gwadar and Jeddah ( $ 635) is higher than at other GCC ports. With one of the lowest sea freight rates from Gwadar ( $ 360), shipments to Salalah port are associated with $ 1,775 (52%) savings, resulting in a total simulated cost of approximately $ 1,620. This is because it is very close to Gwadar. Mina Salman will save 51% of the money in a given container, or 1750 dollars. This outcome can be attributed to the good sea leg at Gwadar ( $ 435). Kuwait is gaining a significant absolute saving of $ 1,487 per container, but with the worst percentage change (42%). The relatively lower percentage reduction reflects higher shipment charges from Gwadar to the destination port, rather than differences in data quality. Table 18 Comparison of transport cost between the exit route and new route Country Origin point Destination port Transport cost of exit route Transport cost of new route Difference UEA Kashgar Abu Dhabi 3445 1895 1550 Saudi Arabia Kashgar Jeddah 3445 1620 1825 Oman Kashgar Salalah 3395 1695 1700 Bahrain Kashgar Mina Salman 3445 1695 1750 Kuwait Kashgar Shuwaikh 3545 2057.5 1487.5 Qatar Kashgar Hamad 3445 1670 1775 The improvements in travel time are even more profound than the cost savings. As shown in Table 19 , the average travel time via the existing route is 29.7 days, while the new CPEC route reduces it to 12.5 days. This represents a 58% reduction, saving an average of 17.2 days per container shipment. The largest relative time savings (71%) and the largest transit time reduction (18.46 days) occur in Oman. The 3.5-day sea voyage from Gwadar to Salalah demonstrates the significant time savings for cargo bound for Oman. Bahrain saves the most time 20.96 days, or 70%. Logistics time is significantly reduced by combining an expedited 5-day maritime cruise and a shortened land route. Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates all save roughly 18–19 days, or 67–68%. It takes 4.5 to 5 days to travel by sea from Gwadar to their ports, which is significantly less time than the 20–23 days required to reach Shanghai by sea. The sea leg from Gwadar to Jeddah (9 days) is the longest of the GCC ports on the revised route, even though Jeddah still saves a substantial 16.96 days (56%); the percentage is slightly lower. However, it takes less than half as long as the 23-day sea voyage from Shanghai. Overall, the simulated corridor configuration suggests potential logistics efficiency gains for GCC destinations under the specified routing assumptions. The new CPEC simulation predicts that the average travel time between GCC countries and China will drop to 12.5 days from the current average of 29.7 days. As shown in Table 19 , using this route enables China and the GCC nations to reduce transit time for each 40-foot standard container by 17.23 days, representing a 58% decrease compared to the existing journey duration. Table 19 Comparison of travel time between the exit and new route Country Origin point Destination port Travel time of exit route Travel time of new route Difference UEA Kashgar Abu Dhabi 30.08 13.1 16.98 Saudi Arabia Kashgar Jeddah 26.08 7.6 18.48 Oman Kashgar Salalah 30.08 9.1 20.98 Bahrain Kashgar Mina Salman 28.08 9.1 18.98 Kuwait Kashgar Shuwaikh 33.08 16.35 16.73 Qatar Kashgar Hamad 27.10 8.74 18.36 6 Conclusion In this study, the effect of the CPEC on the logistics of commerce between China and the GCC nations was empirically examined. The analysis provides simulation-based evidence of substantial logistics efficiency gains when contrasting the land–sea route via Gwadar with the maritime route via Shanghai. The results indicate that, under the modelled scenarios, the CPEC route is associated with lower simulated transportation costs and travel times relative to the baseline route. The findings attest to a significant decline in the two main trade barriers of time and cost. In particular, the average cost of transporting a 40-foot standard container from Kashgar to major GCC ports is expected to drop by 47.6%, saving almost $ 1,695 per container. Concurrently, the simulation indicates an average reduction in total travel time of approximately 58% under the CPEC routing configuration, resulting in a journey duration reduction of more than 17 days, from almost 30 days to just 12.5 days. The primary drivers of these improvements are the shorter overland distance (2,800 km) between Gwadar and Western China than between Shanghai (5,100 km) and the GCC ports, and the significantly shorter sea voyage from Gwadar to GCC ports on the Arabian Sea, rather than the longer journey from China’s eastern coast. These findings have significant ramifications. By offering a safe, expedited route for energy imports from the Middle East, the corridor provides a potential diversification option for energy-related shipments, potentially reducing reliance on existing maritime points. The corridor configuration is associated with lower simulated logistics costs and transit times for shipments between China and GCC ports, suggesting a potential channel for trade facilitation. The observed reductions in simulated logistics frictions are consistent with mechanisms that may support more responsive supply chains and lower inventory-related costs. However, these broader effects are not directly estimated in this study. In conclusion, the CPEC is a crucial BRI project with the potential to improve commercial connectivity significantly. CPEC enables significant commercial potential between China and the GCC countries by reducing travel times and transportation costs. The results suggest that policymakers and stakeholders may consider the logistics efficiency implications of corridor investments alongside other economic, institutional, and security considerations. In the future, this basis can be expanded by examining socioeconomic spillover effects in areas along the corridor, especially in Pakistan, and by integrating dynamic trade-flow models to forecast the precise impact on trade volume. Declarations Funding Statement This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial. Clinical trial number not applicable Consent to Participate Declaration not applicable. Consent to Publish declaration not applicable. Ethics Statement not applicable Author Contributions Statement ALSHREEF ABED conceptualized the study, designed the research framework and methodology, and led the overall investigation. The author was responsible for data collection and curation, performed the formal analysis, and interpreted the results. In addition, ALSHREEF ABED facilitated and coordinated the data collection process, contributed to drafting the manuscript, and integrated subject-area expertise into the study. The author prepared the original draft, revised the manuscript, and reviewed and approved the final version. Dr. Aza Azlina Md Kassim contributed to the conceptualization and methodological development of the study and provided academic supervision throughout the research process. The author critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content, contributed to refining the theoretical and analytical components, and offered subject-area expertise. Dr. Aza Azlina Md Kassim reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript. Dr. Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde contributed to the conceptualization and study design, provided subject-matter expertise, and supported the investigation process. The author contributed to the development of the methodology, participated in manuscript writing, and conducted critical revisions for important intellectual content. In addition, Dr. Kazeem Babatunde provided scholarly input and expert review of the manuscript. The author reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript. The authors declare that there is no conflicts of interest Consent to Publish declaration The authors have no conflicts of interest to be declared. All co-authors agree with the content of this manuscript, and there is no kind of protest to report. We certify that the submission is original work, and it is not under review process at any other journals. Authors: Alshreef Abed，Aza Azlina Md Kassim，Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde. Data Availability The data will be available by the corresponding author upon request. References MOFCOM. [EB/OL]. http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/. Irshad, M. S. (2015). One belt and one road: dose China-Pakistan economic corridor benefit for Pakistan's economy?. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 6(24). Zhang Z. China's energy security, the Malacca dilemma and responses [J]. Energy policy, 2011,39 (12):7612-7615. Mushtaq T. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: An insight, Daily Times. 2017. Javaid U,Javaid R. Strengthening geo-strategic bond of PCEC throughgeo-economic configuration[J]. Pakistan Economic Social Review, 2016,54(1):123. Cao W, C. Bluth. Challenges and countermeasures of China’s energy security[J]. Energy Policy, 2013, 53:381-388. Bontekoning Y M,Macharis C. Trip, Is a new applied transportation research field emerging? A review of intermodal rail–truck freight transport literature[J]. Transportation Research Part A: Policy Practice, 2004, 38(1):1-34. Machari CYM. Bontekoning, Opportunities for OR in intermodal freight transport research: A review[J]. European Journal of operational research, 2004, 153(2): 400-416. Routledge, 2009.Comtois C B. Slack. The geography of transport systems. Slack B. Intermodal transportation in North America and the development of inland load centers[J]. The professional geographer, 1990,42(1):72-83. Wiseman Y, Giat Y.Red sea and Mediterranean sea land bridge via elite[J]. World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2015, 5(4):353-368. Muli N. Challenges to plans for modern high speed high capacity railway development in Kenya and the Region[J]. Kenya Engineer Journal, 2012, 33(4):45. Njiru C. LAPSSET corridor will create the great equatorial land bridge connecting east and west coast of Africa. Kenya Ministry of Transport, 2011. Zulkifli, Noraini, Raja Ismail Raja Ibrahim, Azrul Azlan Abdul Rahman, and Amer Fawwaz Mohd Yasid. "Maritime Cooperation in the Straits of Malacca (2016-2020): challenges and recommend for a new framework." [J]. Asian journal of research in education and social sciences, 2020, (2) Cooper J.Parsons Brinckerhoff Providing Project Management Consulting Services for Saudi Arabia Rail Project[Z], 2013. Cope R F, Cope R F, Woosley J. Evaluating container ship routes: a case for choosing between the Panama Canal and the US land bridge [J]. International Journal of Research in Business Technology, 2014, 4(2):395-401. Eaton, Jonathan and Kortum, Samuel S., Technology and Bilateral Trade[J]. NBER Working Paper No. 6253, 1997:1-56. Ghemawat, Pankaj. Distance Still Matters[J]. Harvard Business Review,2018:1-13. Limao N. Venables A J. Infrastructure, geographical disadvantage, transport costs, and Trade[J]. The World Bank Economic Review,2001,15, (3):451 - 479. Halaszovich TF and Kinra A. The impact of distance, national transportation systems and logistics performance on FDI and international trade patterns [J]: Results from Asian global value chains. Transport Policy. 2020 Nov 1;98:35-47. Lam, Terence, Kenneth A. Small. The Value of Time and Reliability: Measurement from a Value Pricing Experiment[J]. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review,2001,37(2-3):231-251. Hanaoka, Shinya, Madan B.Regmi. Promoting Intermodal Freight Transport through the Development of Dry Ports in Asia: An Environmental Perspective[J]. IATSS Research,2011,35(1):16-23. Diener, Alexander C.Parsing Motilities in Central Eurasia: border management and new silk roads[J]. Eurasian Geography and Economics2015,56(4):376-404 Noorul Shaiful, FayasNajib. Selection of the most practical Malaysian port for enhancing the Malaysia-China Kuantan industrial park business trade[J]. International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics,2017,9(4):500-525. Melecky,Martin,Mark Roberts, Siddharth Sharma. The Wider Economic Benefits of Transport Corridors: A Policy Framework and Illustrative Application to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor[J]. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society,2018,126 (591): 317-57. Pearson,Mark. Transport Infrastructure. In Africans Investing in Africa: Understanding Business and Trade[B]. Business and Economics,2015. Lun Y H, Venus, Kee Hung Lai, Christina W Y, Wong T. C E Cheng. Greening and Performance Relativity: An Application in the Shipping Industry[J]. Computers and Operations Research,2015,54:295-301. Lin W,Chen B,Xie L,Pan H. Estimating energy consumption of transport modes in China using DEA[J].Sustainability,2015,7(4):4225-4239. Bernhofen D M Z, El-Sahli, R Kneller. Estimating the effects of the container revolution on world trade[J]. Journal of International Economics,2016,98:36-50. Leung G C K.China's energy security: perception and reality[J].Energy Policy, 2011,39(3):1330–1337. Xiaoxing Gong, Jing Lu. strait canal security assessment of the maritime silk road[J],International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2018,10(3):281-298 Kevin X. Li,Mengjie Jin,Wenming Shi .Diversification as an energy importing strategy for China under the Belt and Road Initiative[J].International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics,2018,10 (3):335 - 354. Alam K M, Li X, Baig Impact of Transport Cost and Travel Time on Trade under CPEC[J]. Journal of Advanced Transportation,2019:16. General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (2023) http://www.customs.gov.cn//customs Maps G.Maps, G. 2018; https://www.google.com/maps. Ports.2017.Sea Route and Distance. Seaports: info, marketplace. http://ports.com/sea-route/ Metcalf,Kathy J.From Sailing Ships to Microchips[J]. Coast Guard Journal of Safety & Security at Sea, Proceedings of the Marine Safety and Security Council,2017,74 (1) . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Abed","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACdgY2EMXPIMHAIPGBgSGBsBZmiBbJBqAWyRkka5HmIUYLfzP7s8cVFTYS/LObD962bbPL42dvYPzwMQe3FonDPOaGZ86kSUjcOZZsnduWXCzZc4BZcuY2PNYc5mGTbGw7XMdwI8dMOreNOXHDjQQ2Zl48WuQPsz+TbPz3X0L+Rv43acu2esJaDA4zmEk2NhyQMLiRwybN2HaYsBbDwzxmkg3HkiUM7xwztuw5dzxxZs/BZrx+kTve/kyyocZOQu5288MbP8qqE/vZmw9++IjP+yiAERxHjA3EqgeBP6QoHgWjYBSMgpECAF3eUcEXhID8AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Graduate School of Management, Postgraduate Centre","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Alshreef","middleName":"","lastName":"Abed","suffix":""},{"id":602472909,"identity":"dedc3f4e-f1d8-4aab-ac2e-512f3cd94f95","order_by":1,"name":"Aza Azlina Md Kassim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Graduate School of Management, Postgraduate Centre","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Aza","middleName":"Azlina Md","lastName":"Kas","suffix":"Md"},{"id":602472910,"identity":"be1b8f3a-2f88-40f3-acd2-806ac7bf81de","order_by":2,"name":"Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Econometrics and Business Statistics Department, School of Business,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kazeem","middleName":"Alasinrin","lastName":"Babatunde","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-08 12:53:59","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8821640/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8821640/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":104208171,"identity":"e34c4200-77b9-44bd-ba6a-c4293cc2f18d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-09 07:18:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":58438,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGCC countries and China\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003etrade volume 2023 (billion dollars)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/6dda3e5137f445253bf89c3b.jpg"},{"id":104208174,"identity":"1dd3b995-1174-457a-b77f-6f076d15cd2f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-09 07:18:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":54463,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGCC countries\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eexport volume from China 2023 (billion dollars)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/08c6e3bbe65ffac77cd41cdb.jpg"},{"id":104405136,"identity":"84777b92-fdd7-4bfe-aa3a-ce8e93214cee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:21:54","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":52810,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGCC countries' import volume from China 2023 (billion dollars)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/7b9c5d57e47d30e24d3b8cd4.jpg"},{"id":104208172,"identity":"e85209c2-7225-4718-bfe7-5a6616d8c5b7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-09 07:18:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":73340,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eExit Route Roadway and Seaway\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/e3c81146965d92a6a1640cfb.jpg"},{"id":104208175,"identity":"2bfffd0d-f747-41bf-b995-b235e31bc2b5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-09 07:18:05","extension":"jpg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":79267,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ethe distance between Kashgar to Shanghai port\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/a8512c60c658ad9ca00b7c6a.jpg"},{"id":104403805,"identity":"03a80a21-6681-48b3-8acc-3dbf3f1e7cbc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:19:06","extension":"jpg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":78406,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSea route from Shanghai Port to GCC destination ports\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/bc8408d3d879abc874c472d3.jpg"},{"id":104404917,"identity":"f078f287-868b-40da-b4cf-3a4096b22286","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:21:21","extension":"jpg","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":79462,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eroute connecting to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/7471456e2e73662dc291d8fa.jpg"},{"id":104404596,"identity":"609119f2-c529-4754-ab9c-7f24903ef179","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:20:36","extension":"jpg","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":72403,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSea transport cost from Gwadar, Pakistan, to GCC destination ports\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/55213ed5052743f19d44b4f9.jpg"},{"id":104409465,"identity":"414c451f-9d3c-40da-89f8-6d49645bfc6d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:45:11","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2188654,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8821640/v1/382bf5ab-dbea-4784-8037-24b21235eb3a.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"A Route-Based Simulation of CPEC Logistics Efficiency between China and GCC Ports","fulltext":[{"header":"1 Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe BRI is one of the most influential global development programmes, created to promote economic expansion across a wide geographical area and multiple sub-regions. Since its introduction in 2013, almost 140 countries and more than 30 international organisations have joined the initiative. Over the past eight years, trade for China and BRI partner economies has surpassed US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e9.2 trillion, and China\u0026rsquo;s cumulative direct investment in participating states has exceeded US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e130\u0026nbsp;billion, positioning the BRI as the largest and most inclusive platform for international cooperation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. A central objective of the initiative is to reduce barriers to cross-border trade by expanding networks in transport, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure. Nevertheless, BRI is an extensive and complex initiative whose potential impacts and influence on trade remain unclear. The crucial challenge is that trade is choked off by many obstacles across different countries, such as distance, transport costs, borders, partnership, and political and cultural barriers. Under this framework, China and its BRI partners are investing heavily in improving transport infrastructure.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe BRI is organized into five main routes, encompassing six economic corridors, each of which plays a significant role, whether over land or by sea [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Among these, the CPEC stands out due to its strategic location. It is unique in offering landlocked regions direct access to the sea [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. The CPEC route connects Kashgar in western China with the port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. This corridor provides China with an alternative trade route to Europe, Africa, and other Western markets, while also ensuring uninterrupted access to oil imports from Middle Eastern countries [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Beyond trade, the corridor is expected to foster new transport infrastructure, strengthen links with Asia, Europe, and Africa, support a more robust business environment, and help reduce barriers to investment and commerce [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. CPEC also aims to secure safe shipping lanes when considering the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. By connecting China to almost half of the world\u0026rsquo;s population, and with the development of the Gwadar port, China could enable both commercial and naval vessels to bypass the congested Strait of Malacca [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrevious research on the CPEC has mostly focused on macroeconomic outcomes, geopolitical ramifications, and general trade indicators, often without specifically measuring logistics performance at the route level. Few studies provide clear, repeatable estimates of how different corridor layouts affect transportation costs, travel times, and distances at the cargo level. However, transport infrastructure is widely acknowledged as a critical factor influencing trade competitiveness. By developing a route-based modeling methodology that compares baseline and CPEC-enabled logistics routes between western China and GCC ports, this article fills this gap and provides a corridor-level evaluation of the potential trade facilitation from lower logistics frictions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2 Literature Review","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1Corridor, Land-Bridge, and Intermodal Transport Concepts\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOver the past 20 years, research on land-bridge routes and intermodal freight transport has greatly increased. In order to increase efficiency and flexibility, intermodal freight systems were designed as interconnected networks incorporating road, rail, and maritime modes in early foundational research by Bontekoning and Macharis [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Building on this paradigm, Rodrigue et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e] divided land-bridge routes into three categories based on the spatial arrangement of inland and maritime segments: land bridges, mini bridges, and micro bridges. The strategic relevance of land-bridge corridors in easing traffic on conventional maritime routes and reducing delivery times, especially for time-sensitive cargo, was highlighted in subsequent studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, intermodal corridors have been investigated as alternatives to lengthy ocean routes, such as the Panama Canal, where some cargo flows can be expedited by overland transportation across the United States [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Similar corridor-based projects, such as the Great Equatorial Land Bridge in Africa [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e], Thailand's Andaman-Gulf land-bridge project [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] and the Saudi land-bridge railway between Jeddah and Dammam[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e], have been planned or implemented in other areas. Together, these studies demonstrate how corridor-based logistics systems can save transportation costs, times, and distances by enhancing intermodal connectivity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1.1 Transport Cost and Travel Time as Trade Frictions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA significant amount of research indicates that transportation cost, trip time, and distance are the main obstacles influencing trade performance, aside from corridor design. While Eaton and Kortum [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e] and Ghemawat [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e] stress that distance still plays a key role in determining bilateral trade patterns, Lim\u0026atilde;o and Venables [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e] show that increased transport costs especially for landlocked economies significantly affect trade volumes. Higher freight costs, longer inventory holding times, and decreased supply-chain dependability are just a few of the ways that transportation related frictions manifest. While Halaszovich and Kinra [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e] demonstrate that national transport systems and logistics performance have a substantial impact on international trade and foreign direct investment, studies like Lam and Small [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e] emphasize the economic significance of time and dependability in transport decisions. Within this context, corridor investments are frequently assessed based on their potential to lower transit time and logistical costs in addition to their capacity to reduce physical distance. Route-level simulations of time and cost reductions offer important insights into how infrastructure upgrades may enhance trade by reducing these frictions, even in the absence of formal gravity-model estimation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e] .\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 CPEC-Focused Studies and the Remaining Measurement Gap\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA significant body of research indicates that transportation costs, trip time, and distance are the main obstacles influencing trade performance, aside from corridor design. While Eaton and Kortum [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e] and Ghemawat [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e] stress that distance still plays a key role in determining bilateral trade patterns, Lim\u0026atilde;o and Venables [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e] show that increased transport costs, especially for landlocked economies, significantly affect trade volumes. Higher freight costs, longer inventory holding times, and decreased supply-chain dependability are just a few of the ways transportation-related frictions manifest. While Halaszovich and Kinra [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e] demonstrate that national transport systems and logistics performance have a substantial impact on international trade and foreign direct investment, studies such as Lam and Small [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e] emphasize the economic significance of time and dependability in transport decisions. Within this context, corridor investments are frequently assessed based on their potential to reduce transit time and logistical costs in addition to their capacity to reduce physical distance. Route-level simulations of time and cost reductions offer important insights into how infrastructure upgrades may enhance trade by reducing these frictions, even in the absence of formal gravity-model estimation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3 Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe efficiency of transport systems has become a central subject in policy debates in countries and on the international stage due to the growing focus on transportation costs and their impact on trade [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. The study of transport infrastructure will enable operators to gain more insight into the capabilities and resources of various transport modes, compare and contrast their pros and cons, and make informed decisions. Global trade cannot take place without efficient transport, as the flow of goods between exporters and importers would be hindered without proper logistics. The study of transport costs is also a relatively new area of the transportation research community [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. However, it has gained momentum with the growth of international shipping and offers the advantage of competitive freight rates and efficient routes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. Some aspects are considered very important, especially when looking at the elements of trade, including distance, travel time, and transport costs. To trade easily, countries are seeking the shortest routes that reduce costs and time, thereby increasing returns and encouraging investment in transport infrastructure. One of them is an adequate infrastructure that goes the extra mile to save time and reduce freight-related costs [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. Importing and exporting goods on a large scale is impossible without shipping networks [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. China places a high priority on securing its oil supply chain, since it is among the two largest consumers of energy [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e] Much of China\u0026rsquo;s oil imports use the route Strait of Malacca, which represents a potential bottleneck due to a combination of factors such as regional disputes, navigational hazards, piracy, reefs, typhoons, and the strait\u0026rsquo;s limited width and depth [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e].To address these vulnerabilities, China is pursuing alternative deep-sea routes and investing in port infrastructure to enhance the accessibility of goods and services. Developing safer, shorter, and more cost-effective maritime routes within BRI countries not only helps China diversify its oil supply but also supports broader trade growth along these corridors. By creating multiple viable pathways, China can reduce its reliance on the Malacca Strait, which remains the primary route for oil and liquefied natural gas imports [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn 2023, China\u0026rsquo;s trade overall was 5.9 trillion dollars [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. In China, the GCC trade continues to gain momentum in 2023, driven by increased cooperation in the energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors. Trade between China and the GCC has increased more than twofold in the past few years, reaching approximately 286\u0026nbsp;billion in 2023, an indication of closer economic relationships under the banner of China\u0026rsquo;s BRI. The two are negotiating a free trade agreement to deepen trade relations, and mutual investments in clean energy, the digital economy, and logistics infrastructure are becoming increasingly relevant [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChina primarily imports significant goods, such as crude oil, from the GCC, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE among its largest suppliers. In return, China exports a range of goods to the GCC, including electronics, machinery, clothing, furniture, and construction materials, which align with the Gulf's growing demand for technology and essential materials to support its development projects. These trade exchanges highlight a mutually beneficial partnership, as both China and the GCC pursue economic diversification and long-term sustainability goals. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e presents trade between China and GCC countries. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e shows that China\u0026rsquo;s total trade volume with GCC countries is about \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e286\u0026nbsp;billion, with Saudi Arabia at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e107\u0026nbsp;billion, the UAE at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e95\u0026nbsp;billion, Kuwait at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e22.4\u0026nbsp;billion, Oman at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e 35.1\u0026nbsp;billion, Qatar at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e24.53\u0026nbsp;billion, and Bahrain at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1.738\u0026nbsp;billion [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGCC countries and China trade volume 2023 (billion dollars)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrade Volume\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExport\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eImport\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e107,226\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64,369\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42,856\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94,977\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39,291\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55,686\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22,390\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17,165\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5,224\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35,074\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31,276\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,798\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,738\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,192\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,546\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24,533\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20,896\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,636\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChina ranked as the world\u0026rsquo;s leading exporter in 2023, accounting for 17% of global exports. Its total export value for the year reached USD 3.380 trillion [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. Within the GCC, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are China\u0026rsquo;s principal export destinations. China\u0026rsquo;s major outbound products to these two countries include computers, broadcasting equipment, and related electronic goods. The details of China\u0026rsquo;s export flows to GCC states are illustrated in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChina was the world\u0026rsquo;s third-largest importer in 2023, accounting for 12% of global import activity. Its total import value for the year reached USD 2.556 trillion [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. Within the GCC, the UAE and Saudi Arabia stand out as China\u0026rsquo;s primary import partners. China\u0026rsquo;s purchases from the region are dominated by crude petroleum. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e provide an overview of China\u0026rsquo;s import patterns from GCC countries. As illustrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, China\u0026rsquo;s imports from Saudi Arabia amount to approximately USD 64.369\u0026nbsp;billion, from the UAE to USD 39.291\u0026nbsp;billion, from Oman to USD 31.276\u0026nbsp;billion, from Kuwait to USD 17.165\u0026nbsp;billion, from Qatar to USD 20.896\u0026nbsp;billion, and from Bahrain to USD 0.192\u0026nbsp;billion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study investigates the impact of CPEC, especially when considering key aspects such as transport costs, travel time, and distance. This project will create new transport infrastructure, provide a more reliable cost trade route, balance cost and security, and improve China\u0026rsquo;s links with GCC countries. Also, the impact of the expected improvement in transport infrastructure on bilateral trade between China and GCC countries, the study of the role of CPEC, and the assessment of transport costs, travel time, and distance for trade are examined. A combination of geographic information, qualitative assessment, and descriptive statistical techniques is applied to determine the decreases in transport costs, travel time, and distance. The analysis begins by mapping the existing transport network, including the overland route from Kashgar to Shanghai and the maritime routes from Shanghai to the major GCC ports. Using this baseline, transport costs, distances, and times are calculated for each origin-destination pair. An alternative scenario is then constructed by incorporating the planned CPEC infrastructure, specifically the Kashgar\u0026ndash;Gwadar roadway and the Gwadar\u0026ndash;GCC seaway routes. Comparing the current system with the improved CPEC network enables measurement of reductions in transport costs, travel duration, and overall distance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoute distances for road transport were obtained using Google Maps[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e], reflecting the shortest feasible trucking routes between the origin and port nodes. Maritime distances between ports were derived from online port-routing databases. Total route distance for scenario s is calculated as:\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:{\\varvec{D}}_{\\varvec{S}}={D}_{road}+{D}_{sea}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewhere:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{D}_{road}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e= overland distance\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{D}_{sea}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e= maritime distance\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransportation costs are calculated separately for road and sea segments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad transport cost for scenario s is computed as:\u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\:\\left({C}_{road,s}={D}_{road,s}\\times\\:{R}_{road,s}\\right)$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewhere:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{C}_{road,s}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e= per-kilometer trucking cost (USD/km)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA base rate of USD 0.45 per km is used, reflecting average quotations from multiple road transport providers. To address uncertainty, robustness checks are conducted using a\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20% range around the base rate.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaritime transport costs are based on container freight rates for a 40-foot container:\u003cdiv id=\"Equc\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equc\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\left({C}_{sea,s}={\\text{Ϝ}}_{port}\\right)$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewhere:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{\\text{Ϝ}}_{port}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e represents port-to-port freight charges\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBase estimates use June 2023 quoted rates from major shipping lines. To account for freight-rate volatility, sensitivity analysis is conducted using\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30% and \u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;50% variations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal transport cost for each scenario is calculated as:\u003cdiv id=\"Equd\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equd\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\left({C}_{s}={C}_{road,s}\\times\\:{C}_{sea,s}\\right)$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time is calculated separately for road and sea transport, incorporating operational delays.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScheduled road travel time is calculated as:\u003cdiv id=\"Eque\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Eque\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:{\\text{Т}}_{road,s}^{sched}=\\frac{{D}_{road,s}}{{v}_{road,s}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewhere:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{v}_{road,s}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e average trucking speed (km/h)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn average speed of 40 km/h is assumed, reflecting mixed terrain conditions. Robustness checks use\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25% variations in speed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo account for operational delays (rest requirements, congestion, weather), daily delay hours are added:\u003cdiv id=\"Equf\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equf\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:{T}_{road,s}={T}_{road,s}^{sched}+{T}_{deley,s}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaseline delays are set at:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 hours/day for the Kashgar\u0026ndash;Shanghai route\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 hours/day for the Kashgar\u0026ndash;Gwadar route\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaritime travel time is calculated as:\u003cdiv id=\"Equg\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equg\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:{T}_{sea,s\\:}=\\frac{{D}_{sea,s}}{{v}_{sea}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewhere:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:{v}_{sea}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e= average vessel speed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA conservative average speed of 12 knots is applied to all routes to ensure comparability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time for scenarios is:\u003cdiv id=\"Equh\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equh\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:{T}_{s}={T}_{road,s}+{T}_{sea,s}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo ensure the robustness of results, sensitivity analysis is conducted across key parameters:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"No\" id=\"Taba\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBase Value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad cost rate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e0.45/km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad speed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 km/h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSea freight rates\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJune 2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30%, \u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;50%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad delays\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u0026ndash;10 hrs/day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2 hrs/day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis approach allows assessment of whether cost and time advantages persist under alternative assumptions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4 Estimation of Transport Cost and Travel Time of CPEC","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe proposed exit and new routes with reference to CPEC are divided into two segments: a roadway section and a seaway section. The roadway portion starts in Kashgar, China, and continues to the Port of Shanghai, while the seaway segment begins at Shanghai and continues to various destination ports in the GCC region. For the purpose of estimating distance, transport costs, and travel time for a 40-foot standard container, the container is assumed to move overland from Kashgar to Shanghai and then be shipped by sea to the final GCC ports. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e illustrates the exit route used in this assessment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1 Transport cost\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1.1. Exit Route Transport Cost.\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to Google Maps [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e], the total distance between Kashgar and Shanghai Port is approximately 5,100 kilometers. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e illustrates this exit route. Since transport costs vary across different local providers and modes, a standardized approach is used to estimate the cost of moving a 40-foot standard container. By collecting per-kilometer charges from multiple local transporters, an average rate of \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e0.45 per kilometer was determined for trucking. Using this figure, domestic transport costs were calculated. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows that the estimated cost to transport a 40-foot container from the origin, Kashgar, to the destination port, Shanghai, is \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e2,295.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad Coast freight inside China (Kashgar - Shanghai)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistance in Km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverage cost p/km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar in China\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai in China\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1.2. Transport Cost of Exit Route\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe estimation of sea-freight charges from the Port of Shanghai to GCC region Ports (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e) was based on rate information provided by MSC, CMA CGM, Freightos, Hapag-Lloyd, and China Shipping [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. These rates fluctuate frequently and were valid for a limited period. The figures used in this study reflect prices applicable during June 2023. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e summarises the shipping costs for a 40-foot standard container on the routes between the origin and the respective GCC destination ports.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost of seaway (origin is Shanghai)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUAE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1.3 Exit Route Total Coast of Transport\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the overall cost of transport for road and sea movements, the cost of moving a 40-ft container, especially from Kashgar to the destination, Shanghai (shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e), is combined with the shipping cost from Shanghai to the GCC ports (shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). These aggregated figures are summarised in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal transport cost of the 40-foot container\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ecost seaway\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ecost roadway\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal transport\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCost\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3395\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3545\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2. Estimation of Transport Cost of New CEPC\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe updated CPEC route includes two main components: a land route and a sea route. The land segment runs from Kashgar, located in western China\u0026rsquo;s Xinjiang province, specifically to Gwadar port (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast, the sea segment extends from Gwadar to various destination ports in the GCC countries (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e). Transport costs and travel times were calculated for a 40-foot container moving from Kashgar as the origin to Gwadar as the destination, and then onward to the ports in the GCC, providing a comprehensive estimate of the full journey.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e shows the overland route connecting Kashgar in the western part of China to Pakistan\u0026rsquo;s Gwadar Port. According to Google Maps [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e], the distance between these two points is approximately 2,800 km. Because transport charges vary across local carriers and vehicle types, a standardised rate was applied for estimating the cost of moving a 40-foot container. Based on average prices across multiple road-transport providers, the cost was set at \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e0.45 per kilometre. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e outlines the resulting freight estimate, which amounts to \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,260 for a 40-foot container from Kashgar to Gwadar.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad cost of the container from Kashgar to Gwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistance in Km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverage cost p/km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar in China\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar in Pakistan\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2800\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2.1 Transport Cost of New CEPC (Gwadar to Ports in GCC)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe maritime transport costs from Gwadar Port to destination ports in the EU and MENA regions are sourced from MSC, CMA, and China Shipping [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. These freight rates are subject to short-term fluctuations. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e provides the transport costs for shipping a 40-foot container by sea from the origin port to the respective destination ports.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost of seaway (gwadar to ports in GCC countries)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUAE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e410\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e635\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e360\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e410\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2.2 Total Transport Cost of New CEPC\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the total transportation cost for both road and sea movement, the cost of moving a 40-ft standard container from Kashgar to Gwadar (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e) is combined with the maritime shipping cost from Shanghai to the respective GCC destination ports (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). Adding these two components provides a comprehensive estimate of the full logistics expense across the integrated route. The consolidated transportation costs derived from this calculation are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, offering a clear overview of the total cost structure for each destination.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal transport cost of Seaway and Roadway for new CEPC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ecost seaway \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ecost roadway \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal transport\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCost \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e410\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1670\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e635\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e360\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1620\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1695\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1695\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e410\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1670\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3 Travel Time\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3.1 Travel Time of the Exit Route (Kashgar to Shanghai)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe travel time for the roadway segment was estimated by averaging the vehicle\u0026rsquo;s speed along the route from Kashgar to Shanghai. Vehicle speeds were assumed to range from 80 km/h on well-maintained roads to 30 km/h on hilly or rough terrain, resulting in an overall average speed of 40 km/h for the calculation. The total distance was obtained from Google Maps [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. Based on these parameters, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e shows that transporting a 40-foot standard container from Kashgar to Shanghai would take approximately 5.31 days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab8\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 8\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time while using road transport\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistance in Km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time /day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverage speed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom Kashgar to Shanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e127.5 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.31 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 k/h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, several factors can contribute to longer travel times, including adverse weather, traffic congestion, driver rest requirements, and other operational delays. To account for these factors and to estimate a realistic delay of 8 hours per day, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e presents the delay period for transporting a 40-foot container from Kashgar, the origin, to the Port of Shanghai, the destination.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab9\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 9\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad shipping Delay Period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelay period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelay in travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDaily delay travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e127.5 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.32 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.56 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.78 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the total travel time for a 40-ft standard container from Kashgar to Shanghai, the baseline transit time shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e is combined with the delay period reported in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e. The final totals are summarised in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab10\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 10\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Road transport travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelay in travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Road travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.32 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.78 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3.2 Travel Time of Exit Route (Shanghai to Ports in GCC)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo estimate sea travel time from Shanghai Port to other ports, especially within the GCC countries, an online port software [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e] was used. The calculation assumed an average vessel speed of 12 knots, accounting for factors such as weather conditions, ocean currents, and other navigational challenges that can slow the journey [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e shows the estimated number of days required for shipping at this speed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab11\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 11\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeaborne transit duration from Shanghai to ports located within GCC nations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSea travel time / day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpeed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistance in nautical miles\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5659\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6558\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5383\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6578\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5897\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShanghai\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5679\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time is arrived at through the consideration of the total roadway and seaway travel time, as shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab12\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab12\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 12\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time of current route from ( Kashgar to ports in GCC Countries )\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSea travel time / day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad travel time/ day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3.3 Travel Time of New CEPC (Kashgar to Gwadar)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe roadway transit time between Kashgar and Gwadar Port is determined by applying an average vehicle speed to the total route distance. Because trucks can travel up to 80 km/h on paved and level sections but slow to around 30 km/h in mountainous or uneven terrain, an overall average speed of 40 km/h is used for the calculation. Based on this, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab13\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e indicates that transporting a 40-foot container from Kashgar to Gwadar takes approximately 2.91 days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab13\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 13\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistance in Km\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time /day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverage speed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar to Gwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2800\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.92 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 k/h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, several factors can contribute to longer travel times, including adverse weather, traffic congestion, driver rest requirements, and other operational delays. To account for these factors and estimate a realistic 10-hour-per-day delay, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab14\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e presents the delay period for transporting a 40-foot standard container from Kashgar to the Port of Shanghai.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab14\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 14\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelay in Road Travel Time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelay period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelay in travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDaily delay travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.2 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the overall transit duration for a 40-foot standard container moving from the origin, Kashgar, to the destination Gwadar Port, the travel times listed in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab13\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e are combined with the delay periods shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab14\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e. The final consolidated results appear in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab15\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab15\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 15\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Road travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003etravel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003edelay in travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Road travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.92day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.2 hours\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.22 day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14 day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3.4 Travel Time of New CEPC (Gwadar to ports in GCC)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the maritime travel time from Gwadar Port to various GCC destination ports, online routing software [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e] was consulted. An average vessel speed of 12 knots was applied, as factors such as atmospheric depressions and weather variability can reduce sailing speeds [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab16\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e outlines the estimated number of days required for each route based on this 12-knot speed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab16\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 16\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time for seaway (Gwadar to ports in ports in GCC countries)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSea travel time / day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpeed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistance in nautical miles\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e884\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2366\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e968\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1122\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1287\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGwadar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 knots\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e897\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time is arrived at through the consideration of the total roadway and seaway travel time, as shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab17\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab17\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 17\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time of new route from Gwadar to ports in GCC countries\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSea travel time / day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoad travel time/ day\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal travel time\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5 Results and Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe CPEC route is associated with a significant reduction in transportation costs, according to comparative research. According to Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab18\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, a container via the current route typically costs about \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e3,560, whereas shipping it via the new CPEC route under the modelled scenario costs \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,865. With an average savings of \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,695 per container, representing a reduction of 47.6% reduction. Ports in Abu Dhabi and Hamad have the largest cost reductions (52%) linked to maritime distance from Gwadar. Each container saves \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,775 using the revised route. This reduction is primarily driven by the substantially lower maritime freight cost from Gwadar to Abu Dhabi/Hamad (\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e410) relative to Shanghai (\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,150). Jeddah\u0026rsquo;s savings of \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,550 (45%) remain substantial, although the proportional reduction is slightly lower than that observed for the UAE and Qatar. This is because, even though it remains much cheaper than the route between Shanghai and Jeddah (\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,150), marine freight between Gwadar and Jeddah (\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e635) is higher than at other GCC ports. With one of the lowest sea freight rates from Gwadar (\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e360), shipments to Salalah port are associated with \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,775 (52%) savings, resulting in a total simulated cost of approximately \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,620. This is because it is very close to Gwadar. Mina Salman will save 51% of the money in a given container, or 1750 dollars. This outcome can be attributed to the good sea leg at Gwadar (\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e435). Kuwait is gaining a significant absolute saving of \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,487 per container, but with the worst percentage change (42%). The relatively lower percentage reduction reflects higher shipment charges from Gwadar to the destination port, rather than differences in data quality.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab18\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 18\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparison of transport cost between the exit route and new route\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost of exit route\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransport cost of new route\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDifference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1620\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1825\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3395\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1695\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1700\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1695\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1750\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3545\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2057.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1487.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1670\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1775\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe improvements in travel time are even more profound than the cost savings. As shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab19\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, the average travel time via the existing route is 29.7 days, while the new CPEC route reduces it to 12.5 days. This represents a 58% reduction, saving an average of 17.2 days per container shipment. The largest relative time savings (71%) and the largest transit time reduction (18.46 days) occur in Oman. The 3.5-day sea voyage from Gwadar to Salalah demonstrates the significant time savings for cargo bound for Oman. Bahrain saves the most time 20.96 days, or 70%. Logistics time is significantly reduced by combining an expedited 5-day maritime cruise and a shortened land route. Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates all save roughly 18\u0026ndash;19 days, or 67\u0026ndash;68%. It takes 4.5 to 5 days to travel by sea from Gwadar to their ports, which is significantly less time than the 20\u0026ndash;23 days required to reach Shanghai by sea. The sea leg from Gwadar to Jeddah (9 days) is the longest of the GCC ports on the revised route, even though Jeddah still saves a substantial 16.96 days (56%); the percentage is slightly lower. However, it takes less than half as long as the 23-day sea voyage from Shanghai. Overall, the simulated corridor configuration suggests potential logistics efficiency gains for GCC destinations under the specified routing assumptions. The new CPEC simulation predicts that the average travel time between GCC countries and China will drop to 12.5 days from the current average of 29.7 days. As shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab19\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, using this route enables China and the GCC nations to reduce transit time for each 40-foot standard container by 17.23 days, representing a 58% decrease compared to the existing journey duration.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab19\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 19\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparison of travel time between the exit and new route\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCountry\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrigin point\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination port\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time of exit route\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTravel time of new route\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDifference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbu Dhabi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJeddah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalalah\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBahrain\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMina Salman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKuwait\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShuwaikh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQatar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKashgar\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHamad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6 Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, the effect of the CPEC on the logistics of commerce between China and the GCC nations was empirically examined. The analysis provides simulation-based evidence of substantial logistics efficiency gains when contrasting the land\u0026ndash;sea route via Gwadar with the maritime route via Shanghai. The results indicate that, under the modelled scenarios, the CPEC route is associated with lower simulated transportation costs and travel times relative to the baseline route. The findings attest to a significant decline in the two main trade barriers of time and cost. In particular, the average cost of transporting a 40-foot standard container from Kashgar to major GCC ports is expected to drop by 47.6%, saving almost \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e1,695 per container. Concurrently, the simulation indicates an average reduction in total travel time of approximately 58% under the CPEC routing configuration, resulting in a journey duration reduction of more than 17 days, from almost 30 days to just 12.5 days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe primary drivers of these improvements are the shorter overland distance (2,800 km) between Gwadar and Western China than between Shanghai (5,100 km) and the GCC ports, and the significantly shorter sea voyage from Gwadar to GCC ports on the Arabian Sea, rather than the longer journey from China\u0026rsquo;s eastern coast. These findings have significant ramifications. By offering a safe, expedited route for energy imports from the Middle East, the corridor provides a potential diversification option for energy-related shipments, potentially reducing reliance on existing maritime points. The corridor configuration is associated with lower simulated logistics costs and transit times for shipments between China and GCC ports, suggesting a potential channel for trade facilitation. The observed reductions in simulated logistics frictions are consistent with mechanisms that may support more responsive supply chains and lower inventory-related costs. However, these broader effects are not directly estimated in this study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, the CPEC is a crucial BRI project with the potential to improve commercial connectivity significantly. CPEC enables significant commercial potential between China and the GCC countries by reducing travel times and transportation costs. The results suggest that policymakers and stakeholders may consider the logistics efficiency implications of corridor investments alongside other economic, institutional, and security considerations. In the future, this basis can be expanded by examining socioeconomic spillover effects in areas along the corridor, especially in Pakistan, and by integrating dynamic trade-flow models to forecast the precise impact on trade volume.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical trial number\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003enot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Participate Declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003enot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Publish declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003enot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003enot\u0026nbsp;applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eContributions Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eALSHREEF ABED conceptualized the study, designed the research framework and methodology, and led the overall investigation. The author was responsible for data collection and curation, performed the formal analysis, and interpreted the results. In addition, ALSHREEF ABED facilitated and coordinated the data collection process, contributed to drafting the manuscript, and integrated subject-area expertise into the study. The author prepared the original draft, revised the manuscript, and reviewed and approved the final version.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDr. Aza Azlina Md Kassim contributed to the conceptualization and methodological development of the study and provided academic supervision throughout the research process. The author critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content, contributed to refining the theoretical and analytical components, and offered subject-area expertise. Dr. Aza Azlina Md Kassim reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDr. Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde contributed to the conceptualization and study design, provided subject-matter expertise, and supported the investigation process. The author contributed to the development of the methodology, participated in manuscript writing, and conducted critical revisions for important intellectual content. In addition, Dr. Kazeem Babatunde provided scholarly input and expert review of the manuscript. The author reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that there is no conflicts of interest\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Publish declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have no conflicts of interest to be declared. All co-authors agree with the content of this manuscript, and there is no kind of protest to report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe certify that the submission is original work, and it is not under review process at any other journals.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlshreef Abed，Aza Azlina Md Kassim，Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data will be available by the corresponding author upon request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMOFCOM. [EB/OL]. http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIrshad, M. S. (2015). One belt and one road: dose China-Pakistan economic corridor benefit for Pakistan\u0026apos;s economy?. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 6(24).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhang Z. China\u0026apos;s energy security, the Malacca dilemma and responses [J]. 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Coast Guard Journal of Safety \u0026amp; Security at Sea, Proceedings of the Marine Safety and Security Council,2017,74 (1) .\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-sustainability","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"disu","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Sustainability](https://www.springer.com/43621)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Sustainability","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"China–GCC logistics, CPEC, transport cost, travel time, trade facilitation","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8821640/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8821640/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study evaluates the logistics efficiency of the China\u0026ndash;Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by conducting a route-based simulation of transportation cost, travel time, and distance between China and major ports of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Using geographic data, descriptive statistics, and scenario-based comparisons, the analysis contrasts an existing logistics configuration combining overland transport from Kashgar to Shanghai with maritime shipping to GCC ports, with an alternative CPEC-enabled route linking Kashgar to Gwadar by land and Gwadar to GCC ports by sea. Transportation costs and transit times are estimated for a standard 40-foot container under transparent and replicable assumptions. The results indicate substantial reductions in logistics costs and travel time under the CPEC scenario, driven primarily by shorter overland distances and significantly reduced maritime sailing distances from the GCC ports. On average, the simulated CPEC route reduces total transportation costs by approximately 48% and transit time by about 58% compared with the baseline route.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"A Route-Based Simulation of CPEC Logistics Efficiency between China and GCC Ports","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-09 07:17:55","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8821640/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-04-07T07:08:53+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-31T01:30:58+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-25T23:07:41+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-25T20:20:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"158242071109115475370925552332247142440","date":"2026-03-08T20:24:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"58330518721684302304634913114979935212","date":"2026-03-08T01:20:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"147900579434557787035857930427698386377","date":"2026-03-06T07:47:03+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-04T04:52:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-04T02:49:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-02-18T09:51:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-02-18T09:46:05+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Sustainability","date":"2026-02-08T12:45:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-sustainability","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"disu","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Sustainability](https://www.springer.com/43621)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Sustainability","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"495f58be-2153-4b59-ba9a-052a94ff723a","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 9th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-08T10:53:27+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-09 07:17:55","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8821640","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8821640","identity":"rs-8821640","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}