Azerbaijan is further strengthening its position as an international transport and logistics hub. As a result of the development of the East-West and North-South international transport corridors, as well as major infrastructure projects implemented in recent years, the volume of transit transportations in the first 7 months of the current year exceeded 9.1 million tons, rising to a 5-year record level. This figure is 11.6 percent higher compared to the same period last year. In particular, the volume of transit freight transportations increased by 16.5 percent in the East-West direction and by 14.3 percent in the North-South direction.
According to sea-news.az, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport informed AZERTAC that the achieved results demonstrate that the reforms, digitalization, infrastructure modernization, and expansion of international cooperation carried out in the transport and logistics sector in recent years, changes occurring in global trade routes, as well as the significant increase in Azerbaijan’s strategic position and competitiveness along the Middle Corridor and North-South corridors.
This momentum is a direct result of reforms carried out in the transport and logistics sector in recent years: the modernization of infrastructure, the increase of operational efficiency through coordination among relevant agencies, digitalization, and the expansion of international cooperation. Changes occurring in global trade routes have also played their part. The combination of these factors has significantly strengthened Azerbaijan’s position and competitiveness along the Middle Corridor and North-South route.
Transport time shortens, competitiveness increases
One of the most important results of the reforms implemented along the Middle Corridor is the acceleration of freight transportations. While transportations along the China-Europe route used to take 38–53 days a few years ago, this period has now decreased to an average of 12 days. The introduction of electronic permit systems, digital solutions such as e-TIR and e-CMR, real-time cargo tracking, the simplification of customs and border-crossing procedures, as well as the acceleration of information exchange between government agencies have made an important contribution to the reduction of transport time.
Within the framework of this approach, a number of large-scale projects have been implemented in Azerbaijan: increasing the throughput capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to 5 million tons per year, modernizing border-crossing checkpoints, electrifying and renewing the railway network, constructing and restoring highways, as well as developing airport infrastructure.
One of the important steps in this direction is the “Single Window” Information System – Digital Logistics Platform created by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. The platform accelerates document flow, simplifies procedures, and forms a more agile logistics ecosystem for business. In the next stage, the integration of the platform with analogous systems of partner countries along the Middle Corridor is envisaged, which will lead to a further increase in efficiency along the route.
In parallel, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, together with international partners, is carrying out work toward the phased implementation of modern digital transport tools such as “e-CMR”, “e-Permit”, and the “e-CIM/SMGS” electronic consignment note system. The implementation of these tools will expand the use of paperless technologies in international transportations and ensure a more efficient exchange of transport data among participants of international transport corridors.
Maritime transport capabilities are strengthened
The efficient operation of the Caspian Sea segment is of decisive importance in increasing the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor. Measures implemented in recent years toward strengthening the Alat Port and marine transport infrastructure have created favorable conditions for the uninterrupted and operational transport of growing transit cargo flows.
Taking into account the growing demand, the container handling capacity of the Alat Port has been increased from 100,000 TEUs to 150,000 TEUs, Berth 7 has been commissioned, and a new generation crane with a lifting capacity of 125 tons has been put into use. Currently, the annual cargo handling capacity of the port is 15 million tons. With the completion of the ongoing expansion project, these figures are projected to reach 25 million tons and 500,000 TEUs, respectively.
The high demand for the port is also confirmed by its performance indicators: Last year, more than 8.2 million tons of cargo and 107,000 TEUs of containers were handled via the Baku International Sea Trade Port.
Another important direction in the development of the Alat transport-logistics hub is the project for the construction of a cargo airport in Alat. The new airport will become part of a multimodal logistics complex by combining the capabilities of sea, rail, road, and air transport, which will allow for increasing the efficiency of cargo processing and expanding the potential of the Middle Corridor.
At the same time, in order to meet the growing volumes of freight transportations in the Caspian Sea, the construction of 4 cargo vessels under the first international commercial order is continuing at the Baku Shipyard. In addition, on September 16, 2025, a contract was signed between “Baku Shipyard” LLC and “AD Ports Group” on the construction of two container carrier vessels, each with a capacity of 780 TEUs, intended for operation in the Caspian Sea. Alongside this, steps such as the large-capacity ferry project, the expansion of “Ro-Ro” transportations, initiatives implemented jointly with the private sector, and the phased renewal of the fleet will further increase the throughput capacity of the Caspian crossing and strengthen the stability of freight transportations along the Middle Corridor.
The measures being implemented are already yielding concrete results. Thus, in the January–July period of this year, container handlings at the Alat Port increased by 20 percent to reach 72,370 TEUs, while dry cargo handlings increased by 82 percent to reach 1.4 million tons.
Cooperation along the Middle Corridor expands
Azerbaijan is carrying out active cooperation with partner countries along the Middle Corridor in the directions of strengthening transport connections, optimizing border-crossing procedures, and expanding digital information exchange. The modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line and the increase of its throughput capacity, the signing of contracts regarding the procurement of new modern passenger and freight cars, the strengthening of coordination among Caspian ports, and joint projects implemented within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route further increase the reliability and competitiveness of the route.
Azerbaijan is actively cooperating with all countries located along the Middle Corridor with the aim of synchronizing the development of transport infrastructure and increasing transport efficiency along the route. For this purpose, a number of bilateral and multilateral roadmaps, agreements, and memorandums of understanding aimed at coordinating joint infrastructure projects, developing transport connections, and increasing transport efficiency have been signed. Currently, work is also underway toward the preparation of a multilateral agreement, which will be an important step on the path toward the future development and institutional consolidation of the Middle Corridor.
Transit potential contributes to sustainable development
The growth observed in transit freight transportations ensures not only the development of the transport sector but also the expansion of added value and economic activity in the non-oil economy as a whole. At the same time, the strengthening of transit potential consolidates Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable partner in global supply chains, increases its attractiveness for foreign investments, and further elevates the country’s geoeconomic significance. Azerbaijan’s development as a transit and logistics center transcends the boundaries of the transport sector, forming an important base for the diversification of the non-oil economy, the deepening of regional economic integration, and long-term sustainable economic growth.
