Azerbaijan's rail links to China experience explosive 275% growth Minister announces transit traffic boost

During a recent visit to China, Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, met with Liu Renfang, Chairman of the State Railway Administration of China, to discuss expanding railway cooperation between the two nations.

Nabiyev shared on his Facebook page that from January to August 2024, the volume of rail transit traffic between Azerbaijan and China surged by an impressive 275% compared to the same period last year, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Liu Renfang expressed a keen interest in participating in the development of the Southern route of China's Middle Corridor and joining the initiatives of Middle Corridor Multimodal, a company formed through the collaboration of the railways of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.

Since the beginning of 2024, 212 container block trains have been dispatched from China through Azerbaijan via the Middle Corridor. Containers arrive in Baku within 8-10 days and reach Black Sea ports in 10-12 days.

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, is a vital component of the Belt and Road Initiative, providing a direct transportation link from Asia to Europe. This route begins in Southeast Asia and China, traverses Kazakhstan, crosses the Caspian Sea, passes through Azerbaijan and Georgia, and ultimately reaches European markets. Its purpose is to enhance trade and economic cooperation through an integrated network of railways, highways, and maritime routes.

Azerbaijan's strategic positioning as a bridge between Europe and Asia establishes it as a key player in the success of the TITR. The country has made significant investments in developing and diversifying its energy, transportation, and communication infrastructure, undertaking major global projects like the Zangezur Corridor, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, Southern Gas Corridor, TANAP, and TAP.

As a crucial transit hub for goods moving from China and Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea and South Caucasus, the TITR functions not only as a trade route but also as a strategic corridor linking Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, thereby extending its reach into European markets.

By Tamilla Hasanova