BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The number of container trains traveling from China via the Middle Corridor (the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route - TITR) through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye to Europe grew by nine times from January through May 2024, Trend reports citing the TITR Association.
In May alone, more than 30 container trains passed through the TITR, setting a record for transit.
"Since the beginning of freight transport from Xi'an, China (beginning of 2024), container shipments of Chinese goods via the TITR have increased by 70 percent. In addition to Xi'an, other shipping points for this route this year include Chongqing, Yiwu, Sanping, Nanjing, and Jinhua," the association said.
Additionally, the TITR Association emphasized that these positive results were achieved through the coordinated efforts of all TITR members.
To note, the TITR project has been operational for 10 years, and the TITR Association has been active since 2016.
Due to new geopolitical realities, the TITR has been in demand by shippers and consignees for the past two-three years.
In 2023, about 2.7 million tons of cargo passed through the Middle Corridor (an 86 percent increase compared to 2022). The forecast for 2024 is 4.2 million tons. By 2027, it's planned to transport around 10 million tons of cargo annually via the TITR.