Caucasus

The global ground and cargo handling market is undergoing a wave of major transformation: two leading players have announced major international projects.

The leaders of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan were briefed on the joint work of experts from the two countries aimed at accelerating the development of the Middle Corridor—a key transport route connecting China and Central Asian countries with Europe. Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan, Asel Zhanasova, presented a detailed plan for modernizing and expanding infrastructure to support increased freight traffic.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a joint media briefing to summarize the results of their talks on infrastructure development and transport connectivity between the two countries. The parties paid particular attention to the implementation of the strategically important Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Nurlan Sauranbayev, spoke at the session “The Middle Corridor: From Reliability to Influence” at the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, which brought together approximately 2,000 representatives of governments, businesses, and international organizations. Discussions focused on the development of transport and trade links, digital transformation, and investment opportunities in the region.

ASCO, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, hosted a meeting with a delegation from the classification society Türk Loydu, led by Chairman of the Board Oral Erdoğan. The parties discussed the current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan’s maritime transport, as well as opportunities for cooperation in shipping and vessel classification.

In the first seven months of the year, rail freight volumes along the New Silk Road fell by 25.4% year-on-year to 170,700 TEU. According to the Eurasian Rail Alliance Index, the bulk of freight continues to be shipped from China to Poland, but volumes there also fell by 17% to 138,800 TEU.

A roundtable discussion was held at JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy with representatives of the Georgian Railway (GR), Georgian terminals and ports (APM Terminals, Pace Georgia), and Kazakhstani shippers. The discussion brought together major exporters of oil and petroleum products, metals, grain, and other commodities that use routes through Georgia.

ASCO, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, transported 7 million tons of cargo in the first nine months of 2025, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by robust operations by the company’s tanker and dry bulk fleets.

During Kazakhstan’s Transport Week in Almaty, the heads of Georgian and Azerbaijani railways signed a memorandum on the launch of regular container train services linking ports on the Black and Caspian Seas. The new Batumi–Poti–Tbilisi–Absheron–Sumgait–Alat route will connect the two countries’ key sea and dry ports, including the Tbilisi Multimodal Terminal, the first phase of which was commissioned in June 2025.

Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), participated in the panel discussion “Development of Eurasian Railway Infrastructure” at the 7th International Forum “New Silk Road” in Kazakhstan. Discussions focused on the integration of the Middle Corridor, modernization of ports and railways, increasing transit potential, and technological upgrades to transport infrastructure.