Reference projections suggest “global GDP will continue to grow strongly and could double over the period to 2030” – and GDP, GDP per capita and international trade are major drivers of increased passenger and trade flows and related international transport needs. In the future, the largest increases in these flows are expected intra-Asia and along the major trade routes between Asia and the largest developed regions, i.e. Asia- North America and Asia-Europe. In terms of trade, world port container volumes could be three to four times higher by 2030 and five to six times current levels by 2050. Rail passenger and freight demand could increase at around 2-3% per annum, close to world GDP. Robust but differentiated global economic growth across developed and developing countries – and the resulting trade and transport growth – will place increasing pressure on infrastructure, which will need to handle the large increases in traffic.