Azerbaijan, China strengthen rail ties with new memorandum PHOTO

CJSC "Azerbaijan Railways" (ADY) and China's state-owned "China Railway" (CR) have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at boosting transit, digital innovation, and multimodal transport development along the Middle Corridor.

The agreement was signed during a meeting in Beijing between ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov and CR President Song Xiude, as part of an Azerbaijani delegation’s visit to China, Caliber.Az reports per ADY.

The memorandum outlines plans to strengthen cooperation in railway transport, improve freight logistics through international corridors, and implement modern digital technologies to enhance service quality and operational efficiency. A central focus of the agreement is the further development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, which Azerbaijan views as a critical East-West trade link.

The sides also agreed on the strategic importance of integrating multimodal transport infrastructure, particularly connecting logistics terminals in China and Azerbaijan. A notable provision of the document is the proposed involvement of China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd. (CRCT) in the joint venture "Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.," established by the railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia to advance the Middle Corridor initiative.

ADY highlighted that rail freight volumes between China and Azerbaijan have surged by 47% in 2024, reaching 612,000 tons. A total of 287 block trains were dispatched from China last year, and 199 have already been sent in the first half of 2025. Projections indicate over 400 block trains will be dispatched by year’s end.

Rustamov also held talks with Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of Kazakhstan Railways (Kazakhstan Temir Zholy), during his visit. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in transit logistics and emphasized coordinated efforts to ensure the efficient delivery of container cargo from China to Europe. They agreed that the "Middle Corridor Multimodal" venture would play a key role in ensuring the uninterrupted and timely movement of freight along the route.

The meetings underscored the broader context of deepening strategic relations between Azerbaijan, China, and regional partners through enhanced transport and logistics integration.

By Sabina Mammadli