Zangezur corridor set to slash freight costs, boost regional trade

The opening of the Zangezur corridor is poised to significantly lower operational costs for companies engaged in the transport and logistics sector, said Secretary General of the Association of International Road Carriers of Azerbaijan (ABADA), Kanan Gurbanov.

Speaking to journalists, Gurbanov emphasized that the corridor’s launch will enable faster and more efficient freight transportation, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“The reduction in distance will have a direct impact on transportation costs,” he said. “This, in turn, will pave the way for a decrease in freight tariffs, ultimately benefiting the broader logistics industry.”

The Zangezur corridor, which forms a vital segment of the Middle Corridor—linking East and West through the South Caucasus—is expected to serve as a strategic gateway for regional transit. Gurbanov underlined its potential to enhance trade relations among neighboring countries by expanding transit capacity and streamlining supply chains.

He credited the progress to the strategic vision of President Ilham Aliyev, noting that significant infrastructure development has been undertaken to support the corridor’s realization. “As a result of President Aliyev’s far-sighted policies, critical investments have been made to develop the infrastructure underpinning the Middle Corridor. The Port of Baku in Alat stands out as a crucial asset in this regard,” Gurbanov stated.

He also pointed to the construction of major highways across Azerbaijan as a deliberate move to support regional connectivity. “Without these decisive measures, we would not be in a position to fully leverage the Middle Corridor today,” he added.

As the Zangezur corridor nears operational readiness, industry stakeholders are optimistic that it will not only cut costs but also solidify Azerbaijan’s role as a key transit hub bridging Europe and Asia.

In the 1920s, the Zangezur region—historically part of Azerbaijan—was transferred to Armenia by Soviet authorities. This geopolitical shift severed Azerbaijan’s direct territorial connection with its Nakhchivan exclave, creating a longstanding geographic and strategic challenge for Baku.

However, in the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War, the long-envisioned Zangezur corridor has begun to materialize as a tangible and transformative project. Designed to restore Azerbaijan’s direct link to Nakhchivan, the corridor represents not only a logistical milestone but also a significant geopolitical development in the South Caucasus.

In pursuit of this strategic objective, Azerbaijan has accelerated the development of critical infrastructure across the corridor, including the construction of modern motorways and rail networks.

By Vafa Guliyeva