Caucasus

The countries participating in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) have agreed on a number of innovations aimed at simplifying transportation. In 2025, it is planned to introduce a single transit cargo document for all shipments along the route, as well as optimize customs procedures. These steps are enshrined in the Roadmap for 2025, prepared taking into account the “International Trade” indicator in the World Bank Group “Business Ready” report.

Belgorod-Dnistrovsky Sea Port signed a memorandum of cooperation with Batumi International Container Terminals LLC (BICT), which manages container, ferry and general terminals in the port of Batumi (Georgia). This is the second such document of the Ukrainian enterprise within the framework of the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or “Middle Corridor”), said Oksana Kiktenko, Director of the SE.

A meeting was held in Baku between the Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Rovshan Rustamov, the General Director of Georgian Railways David Abashidze and the Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Talgat Aldybergenov. The participants discussed the work of the joint venture Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd., which coordinates the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Chairman of the Board of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Talgat Aldybergenov met with the Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev during his visit to Baku. The meeting was also attended by Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan Asel Zhanasova, Chairman of the Committee for Railway and Water Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov, heads of Azerbaijan Railways and Georgian Railways. The parties discussed the development of the Middle Corridor, digitalization of logistics and the implementation of a roadmap to eliminate bottlenecks.

The container turnover of the Baku port for January-July 2025 reached a record high of 60,429 TEU, which is 54.2% higher than the figure for the same period in 2024 (39,184 TEU). The growth reflects the active development of the port and the increase in its transit capabilities.

KTZ Express CEO Daniyar Kozhakhmetov took part in a working visit of the Kazakh delegation to Azerbaijan, where negotiations were held with key partners on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Meetings with the Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev, the head of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Talgat Aldybergenov, representatives of CJSC AZhD, JSC GZhD and other structures were devoted to the modernization of infrastructure, expansion of terminal capacities, increasing port capacity and digitalization of logistics.

The trains will follow a fixed timetable, departing from Poti at 21:30 and arriving in Tbilisi at 09:47 the following morning.

APM Terminals Poti has signed a memorandum of understanding with Biodiesel Georgia LLC, launching a joint project to reduce CO₂ emissions through the use of biodiesel. The company plans to purchase environmentally friendly fuel from the partner for blending with mineral diesel used in port equipment. As part of the agreement, carbon calculation experts will be involved to assess the reduction in emissions and develop a monitoring methodology in accordance with the GHG protocol. Switching to biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 85-90% compared to conventional diesel fuel.

In Baku, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) Rovshan Rustamov met with the new CEO of Georgian Railway JSC Lasha Abashidze. The parties discussed strengthening partnership in the development of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line, paying particular attention to the modernization of the Georgian section and enhancing the strategic role of the route as a key link in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor).

In the first six months of 2025, cargo turnover through Georgia’s international airports increased by 57.6% and reached about 16,500 tons. At the same time, container transit along the Middle Corridor increased sharply to 9,849 TEU, which is 173% more than in the same period of 2024.