BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 30. Under the
leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is steadily
pursuing a policy aimed at strengthening its role as a regional
transport and logistics hub, with the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor emerging as a key link connecting Central Asia with the
South Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe.
“Trans-Caspian routes linking the region with European
countries offer huge opportunities,” President Mirziyoyev noted at
the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central
Asia.
The development of the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor has become one of the key items on the agenda of the
second National Conference on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,
being held in Tashkent on September 30. The conference brings
together representatives of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, the
European Commission, international financial institutions,
development partners and the private sector.
The conference takes place at a significant stage in
the corridor’s development. A World Bank assessment published on
September 28 found that targeted investments and reforms could more
than triple trade volumes along the Trans-Caspian route, halve
travel times, and increase the combined GDP of countries along the
corridor by 3.3% by 2040. With additional reforms, corridor volumes
could potentially quadruple, while travel times could fall by
two-thirds.
For Uzbekistan, the corridor is becoming increasingly
important as the country seeks to diversify access to international
markets and strengthen its role in regional trade. Uzbekistan has a
particular interest in reliable multimodal routes that facilitate
the movement of export and import cargo to the Caspian Sea, the
South Caucasus, Türkiye and European markets.
Uzbekistan's role in the corridor expands
Uzbekistan's role in the Trans-Caspian network has expanded
alongside growing trade and transport cooperation with countries
along the route.
International freight traffic between Uzbekistan and European
countries reached 1.5 million tons in 2025, up 29% from 2024,
according to Uzbekistan's Embassy. Cargo transported by Uzbekistan
via the Middle Corridor doubled over the five years to reach 1.2
million tons in 2025, while the share of Uzbekistan's cargo
turnover with EU countries moving through the corridor increased
from 12% in 2021 to 28% by the end of 2025.
The country's cooperation with Azerbaijan is particularly
important in this process, as Azerbaijan provides a key
Caspian-to-Caucasus link for Uzbek cargo moving westward.
International freight traffic between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan
reached 28,300 tons in January-March 2026, 2.9 times higher than in
the same period of 2025. Meanwhile, container traffic under the
CASCA+ multimodal route connecting China, Central Asia, Azerbaijan,
Türkiye and Europe reached 6,722 TEUs in 2025, up 47%
year-on-year.
These figures point to the growing use of the Trans-Caspian
network as a practical trade route for Uzbekistan and highlight
opportunities for deeper regional integration.
Mirziyoyev's transport strategy expands
connectivity
The development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor forms part of
Mirziyoyev's broader strategy to modernize Uzbekistan's transport
sector and strengthen its position in international logistics.
In September 2026, Mirziyoyev reviewed major transport and
logistics projects and set a goal of transforming Uzbekistan into a
major hub along the shortest land route connecting the Pacific
Ocean with Europe. By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to double the volume
of transport services, attract $9.1 billion in investment into the
sector and increase transport-service exports to $5.7 billion.
"Creating and integrating digital logistics platforms to improve
transport connectivity is important," President Mirziyoyev said
following the informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic
States.
The strategy combines domestic infrastructure modernization with
the development of international transport links. Uzbekistan is
modernizing and electrifying railway sections, renewing its freight
wagon fleet and developing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan
railway.
"Given the strategic role of the Middle Corridor, we are paying
great attention to integrating it with the
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under
construction," Mirziyoyev said at the informal summit of the
Organisation of Turkic States.
At the same time, the country is expanding its logistics
presence around key international routes. Uzbekistan is developing
logistics infrastructure involving the Aktau, Turkmenbashi and Baku
ports on the Caspian Sea and advancing cooperation involving the
Black Sea ports of Poti ans Anaklia. Plans to participate in the
construction of the Nakhchivan railway are also being considered,
potentially creating additional access toward Turkish ports.
Digitalization is another element of the strategy. Uzbekistan is
working to develop digital logistics platforms, expand electronic
permitting, and improve data exchange and cargo tracking,
supporting more efficient cross-border transport.
Together, these initiatives indicate that Uzbekistan's approach
to the Trans-Caspian Corridor extends beyond individual railway or
road projects, with the broader objective of developing an
interconnected transport and logistics ecosystem.
Growing investment supports corridor
development
The expansion of the Trans-Caspian network is creating a
significant pipeline of investment opportunities in railways,
ports, logistics hubs, inland terminals, rolling stock and digital
transport systems.
The World Bank estimates that at least $25 billion in physical
infrastructure investment could be required along the corridor
through 2040, while another $30 billion could support connecting
infrastructure and enabling systems, including roads and railways,
logistics hubs, inland terminals, rolling stock and digital
solutions.
European financial institutions are already supporting
Uzbekistan's transport modernization. The European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), for example, is providing up
to €38.4 million for the digital transformation of Uzbekistan
Railways, including traffic and transport management systems and
cybersecurity. The project is expected to support more efficient
cargo and passenger flows along the Trans-Caspian Corridor.
The EBRD has also indicated its readiness to invest around €1.5
billion in Trans-Caspian Corridor-related infrastructure and
transport solutions over a two-to-three-year period.
For Uzbekistan, this growing investment ecosystem creates
opportunities to combine domestic transport priorities with
international financing and expertise, accelerating the
modernization of its logistics infrastructure and strengthening its
position within the wider corridor.
Azerbaijan becomes a key western gateway
The development of the Trans-Caspian route is also reinforcing
the economic importance of Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations.
Bilateral trade reached $307.3 million in 2025, up 14.6%, while
trade between the two countries totaled $170.3 million in
January-June 2026, an increase of 30.8%, according to Uzbekistan's
government. The two countries have set a target of increasing
bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030. Transport connectivity can
support this broader economic relationship by facilitating trade
and creating new opportunities for businesses in both
countries.
Azerbaijan's location on the western shore of the Caspian Sea
provides Uzbek exporters with access to the South Caucasus, Türkiye
and European markets, while Uzbekistan represents an important
Central Asian origin and destination market for cargo moving along
the corridor.
Regional cooperation is expanding beyond bilateral ties. In
February 2026, railway officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan discussed expanding freight
transportation and digitalization along the Middle Corridor and
signed a protocol covering digitalization, freight development and
corridor diagnostics.
From transport route to economic platform
The development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is
increasingly creating opportunities that extend beyond the movement
of goods. A more integrated corridor can support investment,
logistics, industrial development and employment while
strengthening trade links between Central Asia and European
markets.
For Uzbekistan, this aligns closely with Mirziyoyev's broader
transport strategy, which combines railway modernization, logistics
infrastructure, digitalization and international connectivity.
The September 30 conference provides another platform for
turning these priorities into concrete investment projects and
reforms. With the participation of the EU, international financial
institutions and private-sector representatives, discussions on
infrastructure, logistics, digital documentation, border procedures
and investment can contribute to the further development of the
corridor.
For Uzbekistan, the Trans-Caspian route is becoming more than
just an alternative trade corridor. It is gradually emerging as
part of the country’s broader strategy to diversify access to
international markets, attract investment and strengthen economic
ties with Azerbaijan, which plays a key role in facilitating
Uzbekistan’s access to European markets.
