Tbilisi and Baku together: New agreements signed on BTK railway PHOTO

On January 29 in Tbilisi, BTKI Railways (a joint venture of the subsidiaries of Azerbaijan Railways JSC and Marabda-Karachi Railway LLC) and Georgian Railway JSC signed agreements aimed at ensuring the full launch of the joint venture on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway line.

One of the agreements covers the use of the Marabda–Akhaltsikhe railway infrastructure, while the other concerns the provision of terminal services at Akhaltsikhe station, Caliber.Az reports, citing the press service of Azerbaijan Railways.

At the signing ceremony, it was noted that the new agreements will allow more efficient operations on the BTK line, a key segment of the Middle Corridor, and increase freight volumes.

Azerbaijan Railways successfully completed repair and modernisation works on the 184-kilometre section of the BTK line passing through Georgia, which features challenging terrain. As a result, the line’s annual capacity increased from 1 million tons to 5 million tons. The main goal of modernising this railway line is to enhance the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor and turn the BTK into one of its main freight arteries.

BTKI Railways LLC was established on August 13, 2024. The joint venture’s activities cover the efficient management of BTK operations, attracting new freight, strengthening strategic transport connections in the region, and expanding the Middle Corridor’s potential.

By Khagan Isayev