BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 10. Cross-border cargo
traffic through Turkmenistan exceeded 10.5 million tons in the
first half of 2026, up 10%year-on-year.
This was reflected in a press release published by
Turkmenistan's State Customs Service.
"Thanks to the phased modernization of its customs
infrastructure and the adoption of digital technologies, the
country is strengthening its position as a key transportation and
logistics hub in the region," the press release said.
The latest figures come amid continued efforts by Turkmenistan
to diversify its transit network in response to evolving regional
logistics patterns. Alongside traditional routes through Iran,
Ashgabat has been expanding cooperation on the Middle Corridor, the
International North-South Transport Corridor and other regional
transport initiatives linking Central Asia with European and Asian
markets.
That assessment is broadly consistent with the view of the
International Transport Forum (ITF). In an exclusive interview to
Trend, the organization said Turkmenistan is well
positioned to benefit both from routes running south through Iran
and from Trans-Caspian transport links across the Caspian Sea
toward Azerbaijan.
"Turkmenistan could potentially benefit under both
configurations. It can serve as a transit country for routes
crossing the Caspian towards Azerbaijan and for routes running
south through Iran," the organization said.
The ITF added that a lasting normalization of relations between
the United States and Iran could make overland routes through Iran
more attractive for cargo moving between Central Asia, the Persian
Gulf, Türkiye and the Middle East. At the same time, the
organization said the Middle Corridor would retain its strategic
importance as a diversified Asia-Europe route backed by continued
political and investment support.
