Official: Azerbaijan expects 16 million tons of transit cargo this year

Azerbaijan’s transit cargo volume is expected to exceed 16 million tons this year, while the number of container trains arriving from China is projected to reach 600, Fariz Aliyev, head of a department at the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, said.

Speaking at a high-level meeting on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route in Beijing as part of the Global Sustainable Transport Forum 2026, Aliyev outlined the development of the Middle Corridor and Azerbaijan’s strategic role in the route. He highlighted its importance in ensuring faster and more sustainable connectivity between Asia and Europe, diversifying trade routes, and strengthening the resilience of supply chains, according to state media.

The presentation also highlighted Azerbaijan’s investments in recent years in railway, road, port and other transport infrastructure, along with key projects implemented and measures taken to simplify transit procedures and digitalise transport and logistics processes.

In particular, the role of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Zangezur Route in expanding regional transport links was emphasised.

The integration of the Alat Free Economic Zone with transport and logistics infrastructure was also highlighted, along with the contribution of these capabilities to the development of value-added activities in Azerbaijan.

It was stressed that one of the country’s key objectives is to strengthen Azerbaijan’s position not only as a transit country, but also as a regional logistics and economic hub capable of generating high added value.

By Jeyhun Aghazada