The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is a regional integration initiative established in 2015, uniting five member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. It aims to create a single market for goods, services, capital, and labor – inspired by the European Union model.
While most of its territory is landlocked, the EAEU has significant influence on trade corridors, customs policy, and access to maritime routes, particularly through Russia's ports and partnerships with coastal neighbors.
1. Customs Union
2. Trade Policy and Agreements
3. Transport and Infrastructure
4. Digital Trade Systems
While most EAEU countries don’t have direct access to the sea, the union plays a role in maritime logistics through:
• Russia’s Black Sea, Baltic, and Pacific ports
• Kazakhstan’s access to the Caspian Sea
• Intermodal routes linking inland production hubs to global markets
These trade routes are essential for exporting energy, metals, agricultural products, and importing machinery, food, and consumer goods.
• Geopolitical tensions have reshaped partnerships and maritime flows
• Sanctions and rerouting of trade have pushed the EAEU to deepen cooperation with Asia, Africa, and the Middle East
• Infrastructure disparities and bureaucratic obstacles still exist among members
Yet, the EAEU continues to evolve, aiming for more integrated logistics, digital harmonisation, and external engagement.
Though not known as a maritime force, the EAEU’s inland policies ripple outward – shaping how goods reach the sea, and how inland economies stay connected to the global trade system.
It’s a reminder that maritime trade begins not just at the port, but far beyond the shoreline.
How can a mostly landlocked trade bloc like the EAEU still play a role in maritime trade?
