Source: Notteboom, T. and J-P Rodrigue (2009) "The Future of Containerization: Perspectives from Maritime and Inland Freight Distribution", Geojournal, Vol. 74, No. 1, pp. 7-22.

Circum-Hemispheric Rings of Circulation

As containerization reachs a phase of maturity, the setting of a global “containerized highway” involving continuity between inland and maritime transport systems is expected. For the northern hemisphere where the bulk of the economic activity takes place, this would involve three major rings or circulation; the equatorial ring, the middle ring and the speculative arctic ring.

The equatorial ring can be perceived as a conveyor belt where high capacity and high frequency containerships are assigned and would interface with the middle ring at specific high throughput transshipment hubs. The widening of the Panama Canal will improve the operational efficiency of the system, placing it close to parity with the capacity of the Suez Canal. Under such circumstances, the setting of true bi-directional and high frequency round-the-world services could finally take place.

The most important ring of circulation, the middle ring, is composed of two large continental rail land bridges linked by transatlantic and transpacific connectors. One, the North American landbridge, is fully operational while the other, the Eurasian landbridge, is still a concept. The middle ring requires a full fledged maritime / land interface with major gateways and corridors. The arctic ring is problematic as a full ring of circulation, but specific maritime bridges could be established (e.g. Narvik - Churchill), which would complement the middle ring.