In January-May 2013, the Azerbaijani transport sector transported 85.5 million tons of cargo or 2.2 percent more than in Jan.-May 2012. Of the total volume of goods transported in January-May, 73.6 percent fell to the private sector, the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee said.
Some 55 percent of all cargo were transported by vehicles, 28.3 percent - by pipelines, 10.7 percent - by railway and 6 percent - by ships.
About 670.8 million people used passenger transport in January-May, which is 7.7 percent more than the same period of 2012. Most of the passengers were transported by vehicles (86.7 percent) and metro (13.1 percent).
Automobile transport takes the lion share in the transport field of the country. Some 46.9 million tons of cargo were transported by vehicles, which is 6.9 percent more than in January-May 2012. The volume of passenger traffic totalled 581.7 million people (increase by 8.3 percent). Some 96.2 percent of the passengers were transported by buses and 3.8 percent - by cars.
Freight turnover by vehicles during the period grew by 6.9 percent during the reporting period, and passenger turnover - by 9.2 percent.
In January-May this year, some 9.2 million tons of cargo were transported by rail, compared to 9.1 million tons in January-May 2012.
The number of loaded carriages made up 674, in average per day and unloaded - 548. Average daily load of carriages in the northern direction is 25,800 tons and in western direction 6,300 tons and southern direction - 5,700 tons.
Maritime transport carried 5.1 million tons of cargo compared to 5.4 million tons in January-May 2012. All cargo accounted for international operations. The volume of goods handled in ports in Azerbaijan in January-May amounted to 5.3 million tons, or 1.4 percent more than the same period of last year.
Some 58.8 percent of cargo shipping fell on oil and oil products, while 41.2 percent on dry cargo. Volume of international transit cargos processed in January-May increased by 0.9 percent. As of June 1, 2013, 26,700 tons of cargo left in the ports for import, which is 33.9 percent less compared to Jan.-May 2012.
In January-May, some 18.1 million tons of oil were transported via oil pipelines. During this period, 75 percent or 13.8 million tons of oil were transported via the BTC (data provided by the State Statistics Committee). In January-May Sangachal terminal transported 1.3 million tons of Turkmen oil via BTC.
Gas transportation via gas pipelines made up 8.5 billion cubic meters in Jan.-May. Some 20.6 percent of the transported gas fell on South Caucasus Pipeline. Some 1.8 billion cubic meters of gas were transported via this pipeline.
Some 590,100 passengers were transported by air transport, which is 10.1 percent more than in January-May 2012. Some 1 percent of traffic by this kind of transport fell to private sector. The volume of cargo transportation by air hit 45,800 tons in January-May increasing by 2 times.
Some 87.6 million people were transported by metro (a 3.8 percent growth) compared to the same period of last year.
Some 19.6 million tons of cargo were transported through the Eurasian transport corridor through the territory of Azerbaijan in Jan.-May, which is 6 percent more than in Jan.-May 2012. Some 92.4 million people were transported through the corridor, which is 7.2 percent more than in Jan.-May 2012.
- The legal framework for toll road regulation is being created in Azerbaijan. The Economic Policy Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament has recommended submitting a bill to amend the existing law on "Roads" for discussion at the plenary session of the Parliament. There may be charges for use of the road as a whole and its certain part. The owner of the toll road can completely manage the funds obtained from its use. According to the bill, toll roads can be created under the following conditions:
- In case of free alternative roads with the quality meeting the state standards and regulatory requirements;
- To ensure high-speed of vehicular traffic and by observing their security.
- A feasibility study of the Nakhchivan-Kars railway project (Turkey) has been completed, head of the Azerbaijan Railways company Arif Asgarov said. The study has been completed and design work is underway, he said. Regarding the joint implementation of the project, Asgarov said it is necessary to rebuild the railway on Azerbaijani territory, as well as construct a new link in Turkey.
- The process of installing a fare collection system began in passenger buses with the help of cards in Baku, Azerbaijani Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov said. He said that a cashless payment system has been already installed in more than 20 city buses. This system is planned to be installed in all city buses by late May. The bus fares will not be increased until late 2013. However, the Tariff Board may consider the issue next year.