Infrastructure Grids and Networks. The Challenges Ahead, amid Security and Efficiency

In recent years, accelerating geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions, and climate-related disasters have elevated resilience and economic security to the forefront of both global and European policy agendas. In response, strategies such as de-risking have driven substantial investments in redundancy, new trade corridors, and expanded infrastructure – including railway lines, highways, ports, electricity grids, pipelines, and undersea digital cables.
This infrastructure forms the backbone of the global economy. It is not only crucial for maintaining competitiveness and supporting growth but also plays a central role in enabling the energy and digital transitions. As such, protecting these systems from hostile actions or third-party interference has become an urgent priority.
At the same time, the long-standing trade-off between efficiency and security has grown more pronounced amid increasingly strained international relations. Both governments and private sector actors are now more willing to absorb higher costs in order to enhance the resilience of supply chains and connectivity networks.
Against this backdrop, a new paradigm is emerging – one that raises two critical questions: Where will the balance ultimately settle between economic efficiency and security/resilience? And what investment priorities will shape the future of transport, energy, and digital connectivity infrastructure?

Table of Contents

1. The Redrawing of the Global Connectivity Map. What’s Next?, Alessandro Gili, Roberto Italia (ISPI)
2. The Tech Opportunity to Enable the Energy Transition and Digitise Transport Infrastructures, Luca Milani, Stefano Napoletano, Andrea Ricotti, Nicola Sandri (McKinsey & Company)
3. Investing in Connectivity: The European Investment Bank and Cross-Border Infrastructures, Gelsomina Vigliotti, Laura Piovesan (EIB)
4. The Unbearable Weakness of Efficiency? Military Power, Globalization and Critical Infrastructures Protection, Andrea Gilli (University of St Andrews), Danilo Mattera Trimonti (analyst)
5. Geopolitics on Steroids: Opportunity or Mayhem for Seaports?, Theo Notteboom (University of Antwerp), Hercules Haralambides (Dalian Maritime University)
6. Mediterranean Ports: Disruption, Competition, and Emerging Operational Models, Massimo Deandreis, Alessandro Panaro (SRM Centro Studi e Ricerche, Intesa Sanpaolo Group)
7. ERTMS and TEN-T: Just in Time or Too Late?, Matthias Ruete (DG MOVE European Commission)
8. Military Mobility and High-Speed Rail in Europe: Enhancing Strategic Readiness and Shortening European Distances, Alberto Mazzola (CER)
9. Resilient, Connected, and Inclusive Infrastructure: The Role of Public-private Collaboration to Lead the Transition, Elisabetta De Bernardi (Mundys)
10. Beyond the Grid: Power Infrastructure for Competitiveness, Security, Sustainability, Stefano Salomoni (World Economic Forum, WEF)
11. The Role of Cross-border Energy Infrastructure in the EU Energy System, Cristina Lobillo Borrero (European Commission)
12. Logistics for a Low-Carbon Economy: Hydrogen and Ammonia Distribution. Opportunities and Challenges, Nicola De Blasio (ISPI and Harvard Belfer Center)
13. Empowering Global Connectivity: Sparkle’s Undersea Strategy, Gabriella Improta, Fabio Panunzi Capuano (Sparkle)
14. The Latest Frontier in Global Power Dynamics: The Complex Network of Undersea Cables, Katja Bego (Chatham House)
15. Beyond Subsea Cables: How Satellites Strengthen Global Communications, Clelia Iacomino (ESPI)
16. Cables, Pipelines, and Power: International Laws Governing Critical Marine Infrastructure, Roxana Vatanparast (Capital University Law School)

REGIONAL CASE STUDIES

17. IMEC As a Modern Connectivity Blueprint. Challenges and Opportunities, Kabir Taneja (Observer Research Foundation, ORF)
18. The Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor: Facilitating Connectivity and Securing Central Asia’s Economic Sovereignty, Eric Rudenshiold (Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies)
19. US Resilient Infrastructure: The Key Tool for Industrial Leadership?, Michael Bennon (Stanford University)
20. US Vs. China: Maritime Challenge Between Great Powers, Gian Enzo Duci (ESA Group and University of Genova)
21. The State of Connectivity Infrastructure in China and Southeast Asia, Paola Morselli, Ludovica Favarotto, Michele Danesi (ISPI)
22. The Geoeconomics of Connectivity: New Corridors from Europe to Africa and Asia, Alberto Rizzi (European Council on Foreign Relations, ECFR)
23. The Energy Nexus between Security and Transition: The Strategic Role of Italy, Domenico Maggi (Snam)
24. The Role of North African Energy in Europe’s Energy Transition, Riccardo Dutto (Intesa Sanpaolo Group)
25. The Economic Challenges of Connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean, Lian Allub, Walter Cont (CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and Caribbean)
26. Japan: The Quest for Economic Security, Corrado Molteni (ISPI and University of Milano)