Infrastructure - What's New?
Massive infrastructure investment needed to meet future demand, says OECD
05/03/2012 - Governments must act today to ensure that the infrastructure needed in 2020-2030 will be planned, developed and operational in time, according to a new OECD report.
Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030 (OECD, March 2012) says that air passenger traffic could double, air freight could triple, and port handing of maritime containers worldwide could quadruple by 2030. But the report notes that most of the current gateway and corridor infrastructure could not handle even a 50% increase in demand.
The OECD estimates USD 53 trillion of investment, equivalent to an annual 2.5% of global GDP, will be needed to meet demand over the coming decades. Over USD 11 trillion of that will be required for ports, airports and key rail routes alone. Increased private-sector investment in strategic transport infrastructure will be essential, says the report.
Upgrading key infrastructure will drive competitiveness, boost trade and promote economic growth. For the full OECD press release, see TSG 'News'.
Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030
The OECD's Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030 report looks in particular at whether gateway ports, hubs, and their inland transport connections are up to the demanding tasks ahead. Case studies explore the opportunities and challenges and help identify the pertinent key issues. Much of this infrastructure will require improved capacity to handle volumes two or three times current levels, not to mention the largest passenger aircraft and container vessels in use by 2030. Improved funding and financing arrangements will be needed in many countries, given their current deficit and debt levels and other expected demands on budget resources.
The Main Findings of the OECD report are available for download here: Strategic_Transport_Infrastructure_Needs_to_2030_brochure.pdf, OECD Paris, Nov 2011
Infrastructure to 2030
The earlier OECD Infrastructure to 2030 report (OECD, 2006-07) concluded that global infrastructure investment needs across the land transport (road, rail), telecoms, electricity and water sectors would amount to around USD 53 trillion over 2010-30. Annual investment requirements for these sectors amount to some 2.5% of world GDP, which would rise to 3.5% of GDP if electricity generation and other energy-related infrastructure investments in oil, gas and coal are included.
A Summary Brochure on the OECD's Infrastructure to 2030 Report 2006-07 is also available: 07Infrastructure_to_2030_Main_Findings_and_Policy_Recs.pdf. OECD, Paris, 2006-07
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