BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 27. Participating states of the international program TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) promptly respond to global climatic requirements, Permanent Representative (National Secretary) of the IGC TRACECA in Azerbaijan National Secretaries Rufat Bayramov told Trend.
A semi-trailer transportation initiative was implemented in experimental mode on the TRACECA route to reduce environmental pollution during freight transportation, which also helped to cut transportation costs.
The semi-trailers were headed from Poland to the Georgian Poti Sea Port in the Black Sea, then to the Azerbaijani Alyat Port for further transport to Central Asia via the Caspian Sea.
"Ferry transportation of a truck with a semi-trailer is nearly twice as expensive as transporting a semi-trailer separately." The experimental initiative also sought to minimize pollution in nations along the freight route. "The pilot project was a success, and this mode of transportation will be used actively in 2024 and beyond," Bayramov added.
According to Bayramov, another important point concerning the compliance of TRACECA member countries with international environmental norms is the growth of container transportation.
"As part of the international 'Green Deal' around the world, containerized transportation allows for more environmentally friendly delivery of cargo and food products from producers to customers," he said.
According to the national secretary of TRACECA in Azerbaijan, the mentioned two projects (transportation of semi-trailers and transportation of containers) will help in the realization of the concept of a "green transport corridor.".
In addition, the Caspian port of Alyat in the Azerbaijan Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) is being developed precisely taking into account the "green trends.".
"Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) has also strengthened environmental control over ballast water, which corresponds not only to Azerbaijan's environmental obligations but also to global trends," Bayramov added.
Taking into account the fact that Azerbaijan will host the COP 29 climate summit in November 2024, Bayramov considers such steps important.
TRACECA consists of 14 countries. This international transport program celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.
