BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 13. The development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor) and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) was at the forefront of discussions this week at both the highest level and among experts, Trend reports.
The expansion of the INSTC was a key topic during the meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders in Moscow. Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in his speech at the CIS Heads of State Council, emphasized the significance of cooperation among CIS countries for the North-South corridor project, which runs along the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, connecting to Iran and eventually to the ports of the Indian Ocean. Berdimuhamedov proposed detailed discussions to agree on unified tariffs, customs regulations, visas, and other preferences for project participants.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during the same meeting, reminded attendees that last year Kazakhstan proposed developing a concept for linking major transport arteries across CIS member states. He noted that synchronizing global projects like “One Belt, One Road,” the North-South corridor, and the Trans-Caspian route would facilitate a unified approach to economic, institutional, and transport development across the Eurasian continent.
The growth of freight traffic along the INSTC, Middle Corridor (TITR), and TRACECA was also highlighted during the three-day international transport and logistics conference, "TransLogistica Kazakhstan," in Astana this week.
Meanwhile, the momentum for developing the TITR continues to build. This week, Turkmenistan and the European Union (EU) discussed the launch of a coordination platform for the Trans-Caspian Corridor, as part of enhanced cooperation between the EU and Central Asia. This was revealed following an official visit by a European Union delegation led by Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen to Ashgabat.
The U.S.-based Caspian Policy Center (CPC) also dedicated an article to the Middle Corridor’s development this week. In the article titled " EU Unveils New Middle Corridor Coordinating Platform," author Nicholas Castillo emphasized that the platform’s creation demonstrates Europe’s growing interest in Central Asia and the broader Caspian region, including Azerbaijan.
European companies are showing increased interest in the Middle Corridor. Representative of JUSDA Europe David Fischkandl, a major European logistics company, told Trend about the company’s interest in using the route for rail freight transportation from China to Europe.
CEO of MALBI-trans Liliana Krutonog, a European company, also told Trend that her company has long considered the Middle Corridor and is actively working in this direction. The company is currently forming a pilot train that will travel from Romania, through the Port of Constanța, Baku, and on to Kazakhstan.
Japan's NHK World news channel this week featured a special report on the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor for transporting goods between Asia and Europe.
Additionally, it was reported that from January to September 2024, 3.4 million tons of cargo were transported through the Middle Corridor, representing a 70 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC (KTZ, Kazakhstan Railways, national company) reported that 200 container trains transited through Kazakhstan along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route from China during the first eight months of 2024.
Rovshan Rustamov, head of Azerbaijan Railways, stated on Friday that the company is expanding its key partnerships with Central Asian countries, aiming to increase cargo transportation, modernize infrastructure, and fully digitize railway systems across Eurasia.
Beijing Trans Eurasia International Logistics Co Ltd announced the schedule for container trains that will run from Xi’an, China, via the Middle Corridor to German cities in October, with return journeys planned for November and December. The company works with the China Railway Container Transport Corporation (CRCT), whose involvement in the Middle Corridor reflects China’s strategy to reduce its reliance on maritime routes passing through geopolitically unstable regions.
Bahruz Guliyev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, noted this week that the digitization of transit procedures is strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a key regional transit hub.
This week also saw significant country-specific developments:
- Swiss company Stadler will deliver three regional-type R electric trains to Azerbaijan by the end of this year, as part of a previously reached agreement with Azerbaijan Railways.
- Kyrgyzstan transported over 32 million tons of goods via all types of transport from January through August this year, an increase of over 2.6 million tons compared to the same period last year.
- Turkmenistan’s transport and communications sector achieved growth of over 17 percent during the first nine months of 2024.
- Azerbaijan's national air carrier, AZAL, announced new international travel opportunities through its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, providing passengers access to new routes with convenient connections.
- Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed optimizing air traffic between the two countries this week, focusing on opening new routes, enhancing air navigation safety, and implementing modern air traffic management technologies.