Azerbaijan brings together leading Asian ports to boost connectivity PHOTO

An international forum on The Role of Ports in Regional Connectivity and Strategic Cooperation, held in Baku on September 9, has brought together port executives and representatives of the transport and logistics sectors from across Asia, according to Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).

The ADY said the event was organised by the Baku International Sea Port of Azerbaijan Railways as part of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Caliber.Az reports.

The conference provided a platform for strengthening cooperation among ports, improving regional transport and logistics links and sharing experience.

Opening the conference, ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov highlighted Azerbaijan's strategic position between Europe and Asia and its growing role in regional transport and logistics. He said the integration of Baku Port into ADY, alongside investment in sustainable infrastructure, was improving freight efficiency and creating new transit opportunities.

“This approach removes barriers between rail and maritime transport, increases operational efficiency, shortens coordination processes, strengthens synchronization, and ensures faster cargo movement. At present, we are working intensively on expanding container handling capacity. You know that Baku Port’s annual container throughput was originally designed for 100,000 TEU. Last year, following the merger, operational efficiency allowed us to raise this figure to 150,000 TEU, and by the end of this year it will reach 200,000 TEU. Our target is to achieve approximately 300,000 TEU by the end of 2027. This will contribute significantly to the overall capacity of the Middle Corridor,” he noted.

Rustamov also pointed to declining water levels in the Caspian Sea and disruptions affecting global trade routes as factors underscoring the need for closer regional cooperation. He outlined that the CICA gathering of port leaders provided an important forum for developing joint responses to these challenges.

CICA Secretary Kairat Sarybay, who also addressed the conference, stressed the importance of ports in improving the efficiency of the Middle Corridor and highlighted the value of such meetings in promoting closer cooperation.

The programme featured two sessions, Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships and The Importance of Ports and Multimodal Connectivity, followed by a roundtable discussion.

Participants examined ways to manage cargo flows more efficiently and improve the integration of maritime, rail and road transport. Discussions also focused on strengthening regional connectivity, expanding transport opportunities for landlocked countries through the Middle Corridor, assessing the potential of existing ports and exploring prospects for increasing cargo flows across Asia.

Baku Port was highlighted as an increasingly important regional freight hub. The port handled a record 107,000 TEU of containers and more than 8 million tonnes of cargo last year, creating additional opportunities for international freight operations.

Bilateral business meetings between port authorities from CICA member states were also held, with participants discussing ways to expand cooperation between ports. The meetings concluded with the adoption of a Joint Final Document.

On the second day of the conference, participants are scheduled to visit the Baku International Sea Port, where they will tour the General Cargo, Ferry and Ro-Ro terminals and attend presentations on the port's digital systems.

The conference is expected to further enhance Baku Port's role in promoting cooperation between ports and strengthening transport and logistics links across Asia.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov