Port of Baku Highlights Growth and Sustainability Efforts at Hamburg Conference

February 22, 2025

481022100_1053507626810752_8113636444691732760_n — Conference New Routes, New Markets: Global Gateway and Potential Markets along the ‘Middle Corridor’ Panel Discussion „Port and Logistics“ Moderation: Frank Busse, Partner, Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH •Taleh Ziyadov, CEO, Port of Baku •Friedrich Stuhrmann, CCO, HPA Hamburg Port Authority S.E. Nasimi Aghayev Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Germany •Ainur Dingalieva, Leading specialist of the transportation logistics department, Port Aktau Mirco Nowak LUNO GmbH •Boris Balev, CEO,

At the recent “New Routes, New Markets: Global Gateway and Potential Markets along the ‘Middle Corridor’” conference, held at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Taleh Ziyadov, Director-General of the Port of Baku, delivered a speech highlighting the port’s latest achievements in cargo transshipment, infrastructure expansion, and sustainability initiatives.

In his address, Dr. Ziyadov noted that for the full year 2024, the port achieved a total cargo turnover of 7.6 million tons, with container transport seeing a sharp rise of 73%. Last year, 310 block trains passed through the port as part of the Middle Corridor, and as of January 2025, 40 block trains have already been handled, reinforcing the port’s key role in intermodal transport.

Taking into account the continuous growth in cargo volumes, the Azerbaijani government has announced an expansion plan to increase the Port of Baku’s annual cargo turnover capacity from 15 million tons to 25 million tons, including 500,000 TEU, in the coming years.

To accommodate the growing cargo within the Middle Corridor, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and China have established a joint venture to construct a new intermodal terminal at the Port of Baku in Alat. This terminal will improve cargo handling efficiency and strengthen the Middle Corridor’s role in global trade.

On the sustainability front, the Port of Baku launched a groundbreaking renewable energy project during COP29 in partnership with an international green energy company. This initiative includes a 5.4 MW solar photovoltaic system integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking a first for Azerbaijan. The system will allow efficient solar energy use and support the port’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2035.

The conference reinforced the strategic role of the Middle Corridor in the Europe-Asia trade and its future growth potential, highlighting the key role of the Port of Baku as a vital hub for intermodal transportation and various services provided on the ground, from efficient cargo handling to advanced infrastructure development.