Details added (first version posted on 10:47)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 3
By Azad Hasanli - Trend:
The first container train arrived at Baku International Sea Trade Port from China via the Trans-Caspian international transport route Aug. 3.
During the event dedicated to the arrival of the train, it was noted that it became possible as a result of the efforts by the Coordination Committee of Trans-Caspian international transport route created in October 2013.
The train consisting of 82 containers and 41 platforms departed from China 's city of Shihezi July 28. It traveled more than 4,000 kilometers, visiting Kazakh port of Aktau as well.
Around 300-400 containers will be delivered via this route by 2020, which will bring hundreds of millions in revenues to the country, Javid Gurbanov, head of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC said during the event.
Prime Minister Abid Sharifov for his part, talked about the significance of such projects as Trans-Caspian international transport route for the region.
"Today's event stands out with its significance and is a result of the negotiations and work carried out over the last year and a half," Azerbaijan 's Deputy Transport Minister Arif Asgarov said. He added that Azerbaijan pays special attention to regional cooperation.
The first meeting of the working group of Coordination Committee of Trans-Caspian international transport route was held in January 2015 in Baku. During that meeting, the sides reached an agreement on adopting measures on organizing container service on China-Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey route by using the new Zhezkazgan-Beineu railway line, the facilities of Aktau port, as well as Akhalkalaki-Kars railway line that is under construction.
The first container train was launched on the China-Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan route. A competitive tariff was set on transportation via this route.
As part of the implementation of "100 concrete steps" program, Kazakhstan Railways JSC proposed last week to create a joint venture that will develop container transportation via the Trans-Caspian international transport route.
Edited by CN