BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway (BTK) with a capacity of 5 million tons of cargo per year has a significant impact on the development of the Middle Corridor, changing the logistics map of the region, increasing the attractiveness of freight traffic, and creating a direct and efficient link between Europe and Asia, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Vusal Aslanov said, Trend reports.
He made the announcement during the "Meeting with Global Partners: Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Forum" (TITRF or Middle Corridor) organized by China Railway Express in Xi'an (PRC).
“Aslanov made a presentation on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad and Zangezur corridor projects at the meeting in Xi'an. He noted that the increase of BTK capacity to 5 million tons per year in 2024 from the previous 1 million tons per year has a significant impact on the development of TITR,” the information notes.
Aslanov also stated that 57 percent of the Horadiz-Aghband railroad section of the Zangezur Corridor project in Azerbaijan has been completed, while the construction of the section that will pass through the Iran Islamic Republic will begin after the completion of design works.
“Zangezur corridor will diversify transit routes within the Middle Corridor, reduce the time of delivery of goods from China and Central Asia to Europe, as well as eliminate the need for multimodal transportation after crossing the Caspian Sea,” the statement noted.
Aslanov participated in the collective discussions of representatives of the TITR member countries regarding joint efforts to develop the Middle Corridor. The discussions were attended by representatives of railroads of China, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, as well as permanent members of the International Association of TITR.
The discussions covered three main topics: 1) Ensuring stable and preferential tariffs for transportation, fast customs clearance, and prompt delivery along the TITR, 2) Implementation of infrastructure projects along the route, modernization of terminals and stations, and 3) Simplification of the process of applying for transit codes, unification of documentation standards, and creation of a single digital information system.
“Vusal Aslanov informed the stakeholders about Azerbaijan's Middle Corridor projects for efficiency, flexibility, and diversity. He added that Azerbaijani Railways has streamlined tariffs and reductions to boost Middle Corridor efficiency and container train numbers. He added that China's freight subsidies might boost corridor development,” a statement from railways emphasizes.
Following the reporting session, Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd. (operator of TMTM, established by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia) signed a memorandum of cooperation to join this joint venture of China.
Furthermore, as part of the development of the event, the document “Initiative on the joint construction of an efficient TITR” and the formation of a relevant information platform was signed.