The demand for trade between Asia and Europe is vast, and the Asia-Europe container shipping business could soon become the world’s principle long-haul container trade route. In addition to shipping, the planned improvement on Russian’s famous trans-Siberian route has renewed the potential for overland transport routes. Moreover, revived road and rail networks across the former Soviet Central Asia may again play a role in long distance trade.

This process will require major investment to bring the underlying infrastructure in line with the twenty-first century requirements. SMBC group is at the forefront of this process of investment. We are financing the world’s largest container ships – 13,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) – and major rolling stock leasing companies to meet these demands and make change happen.