BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 19. Azerbaijan's transformation into a global transportation hub is directly related to its geographical location, strategic initiatives, and successfully implemented infrastructure projects. The country is located at the crossroads of international East-West and North-South transport corridors, playing a significant role in trade, logistics, and cargo transportation. Azerbaijan's role in these corridors is important not only from an economic but also from a geopolitical point of view. These initiatives bring investment, new cooperation, and regional stability to the country. Azerbaijan's success as a global transportation hub also has a great impact on the development of the region.
Azerbaijan's active role in the Middle Corridor contributes greatly to making the region a logistics and trade center, deepening economic cooperation, and increasing the country's importance in global trade ties. This initiative strengthens Azerbaijan's international economic position and further increases its strategic role.
Glancing at the statistical indicators, one can see that the volume of transported cargo in transport corridors passing through the territory of Azerbaijan is growing. Thus, based on the data of the State Statistics Committee, from January through November of last year it amounted to 30.2 million tons. This figure is 282,000 tons, or 0.9 percent more than in the same period of 2023. During the reporting period, 13.9 million tons, or 46 percent of the cargo, were transported by rail; 9.1 million tons, or 30.1 percent, by road; and 7.2 million tons, or 23.9 percent, by sea. Of these cargoes, 57 percent, or 17.2 million tons, were transit cargoes.
Projects aimed at digitalization to increase the functionality of the Middle Corridor are important to improve its competitiveness and facilitate trade. To this end, Azerbaijan Railways CJSC provides digital solutions to accelerate international transportation.
In response to Trend's inquiry, the CJSC informed that Azerbaijani Railways, aimed at turning Azerbaijan into a global transport hub, has also expanded cooperation on the digitalization of railway transport infrastructure with countries along the North-South and East-West international transport corridors in 2024 and provided an efficient, comprehensive package of services for cargo owners with an online tariff calculator and "ADY Smart" platform. It was noted that shippers through “ADY Smart” were able to track in real-time all the processes from cargo registration to initiated shipment.
“One of the innovations introduced by “ADY Smart” is the digital work authorization system, which reduces the time of cargo operations. This functionality allows the application to be submitted directly through “ADY Smart” electronically without paper documentation, freight bills to be prepared electronically, and financial documents to be processed and accepted quickly. Thanks to the automated sorting process, customers can track all stages of the sorting process through an electronic cabinet in the system, saving time,” the company informed.
Moreover, it was emphasized that another important achievement is the introduction of the unified electronic cargo consignment note CIM/SMGS, which speeds up international transportation.
“This solution allows replacing several documents with a single format, speeds up customs procedures, and reduces the risks that may arise during border crossing. The invoice is transferred to the existing IT systems of neighboring countries and provides an automated exchange of information based on the principle of “single entry. These changes simplify customs processes, support the development of international trade, and strengthen economic ties, making Azerbaijan an even more attractive transportation hub in the region. Similar digitization processes are underway in the East-West and North-South corridors. Integration into the international logistics platform created by Global DTC to provide freight data exchange and Track&Trace digital services is among the initiatives supported by Azerbaijani Railways. Digital innovations are implemented following the strategy of Azerbaijani railways and serve to increase operational efficiency and transit volumes along international corridors through the country,” the CJSC noted.
