Azerbaijan, China discuss boosting container transport along Middle Corridor PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s Baku International Sea Trade Port has entered into discussions with China’s COSCO Shipping on enhancing container transportation along the Middle Corridor.

The meeting occurred during the visit of COSCO Shipping European office representative, Wang Mingfeng, and his delegation to Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During the visit, the delegation was provided with an overview of Baku Port's critical role in the Silk Road's development and its importance to Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector. Additionally, discussions centered around the port’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and its commitment to implementing sustainable logistics solutions. The delegation also received insights into the port’s history and key infrastructure projects. A central focus of the talks was the strategic role of COSCO Shipping in boosting container transport along the Middle Corridor.

The delegation toured Baku Port’s terminals, where they observed the logistics and cargo handling processes, as well as the advanced technologies being used at the port. Container traffic along the Middle Corridor has shown impressive growth. In March 2024, the first block train carrying containers from Xi'an, China, arrived in Baku in just 11 days. In 2023, 358 container block trains operated between China and Azerbaijan, and by 2024, container traffic along the route had surpassed 27,000 TEU, marking an increase of more than 25 times compared to 2023 figures.

In addition, Kazakhstan’s KTZ Express and Singapore’s Global DTC have announced the launch of a new digital corridor project along the Trans-Caspian route. This initiative aims to automate logistics processes by leveraging state-of-the-art digital technologies, further enhancing the efficiency of the corridor.

The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is a major trade and logistics route connecting China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, Georgia, Turkey, and Europe. It serves as an alternative to traditional shipping routes by offering a more direct and efficient pathway for transporting goods between Asia and Europe. The corridor integrates various modes of transportation, including rail, sea, and road, facilitating the movement of cargo across the Eurasian continent.

The Middle Corridor has gained significant importance due to its potential to reduce transit times and costs compared to traditional routes like the Suez Canal. Key players in the development of this route include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and China. Over the years, the route has seen growing volumes of trade, especially in container transport, and continues to evolve with advancements in infrastructure and digitalization, such as the recent digital corridor project aimed at automating logistics processes. In October 2023, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to create a joint railway company, Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd., aimed at increasing transit efficiency.

By Naila Huseynova