The rapid expansion of road freight transport between China and Central and Eastern Europe is increasing the importance of new routes in Eurasian logistics.
Sea-news.az reports new TIR lines create a more flexible alternative that complements traditional maritime and rail transport. This process opens up additional opportunities to strengthen the transit position of Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus as a whole in China–Europe trade.
According to the National Union of Road Hauliers from Romania (UNTRR), currently more than 3,700 vehicles registered under the TIR system operate on over 120 routes between China and Central and Eastern Europe. These routes cover Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkey.
According to data from the International Road Transport Union (IRU), cargo can be delivered from China to Azerbaijan in approximately 15 days using the TIR system. This timeframe is roughly twice as fast compared to similar maritime transport.
Azerbaijan’s location on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, its transport infrastructure connecting Central Asia with the South Caucasus, and its access to Europe via Turkey could turn the country into one of the key logistics links of these routes.
Growing interest in alternative routes in China–Europe trade also increases the significance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route – the Middle Corridor. The expansion of TIR transport could further strengthen the multimodal capabilities of the Middle Corridor.
Road transport creates advantages especially for time-sensitive, relatively small-volume cargo that requires direct “door-to-door” delivery. Examples of such cargo include electronics, automotive spare parts, industrial components, and e-commerce products.
According to UNTRR, trade turnover between China and Central and Eastern European countries reached $161.5 billion in 2025. It is reported that in the first half of 2026, this indicator increased by another 11 percent.
Such a large volume of trade makes the diversification of freight transport essential. Geopolitical tensions, security issues on maritime routes, natural disasters, and border disruptions are driving up demand for alternative transport corridors.
For Azerbaijan, the development of new TIR routes means more than just an increase in the number of transit trucks. Growing cargo flows can provide an additional stimulus to the development of logistics terminals, warehouse complexes, customs services, cargo consolidation and distribution centers, as well as maintenance services.
However, the real efficiency of the routes will depend on the capacity of border crossing points, the speed of customs procedures, the organization of logistics across the Caspian Sea, and the alignment of regulations among the countries along the route.
Thus, the expansion of China–Europe road transport complements the rail–maritime model of the Middle Corridor with new transport opportunities rather than replacing it. Delivering cargo from China to Azerbaijan in about 15 days is one of the important indicators demonstrating the country’s potential role in the emerging Eurasian logistics system.
