BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6. This year, the
total volume of transit cargo shipments through Azerbaijan is
expected to exceed 16 million metric tons, of which 5.5 million
metric tons will pass through the Middle Corridor, the head of the
Department of Transport Policy at the Ministry of Digital
Development and Transport, Fariz Aliyev, said, Trend's correspondent
reports.


Aliyev made the remarks at the German-Azerbaijani Conference on
Strategic Partnership and Connectivity in Baku on Tuesday.


According to him, the Middle Corridor is one of the key elements
of Azerbaijan’s long-term transportation policy and helps
strengthen the country’s role as a transit and logistics hub
between Asia and Europe.


“The Middle Corridor is not just a geographical route, but a
strategic priority at the state level. Azerbaijan’s strategic
geographical location provides the country with natural
opportunities to serve as a key transit and logistics hub between
Asia and Europe. However, geography alone is not enough,” F. Aliyev
noted.

He noted that Azerbaijan has made significant investments in the
development of transportation infrastructure over the past
decades.


“Currently, the annual cargo capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway is 5 million metric tons, while the throughput capacity of
the Port of Baku is 15 million metric tons and 160,000 TEU. As a
result of the port’s expansion, these figures are expected to reach
25 million metric tons and 500,000 TEU by 2030,” the minister
emphasized.


Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan is also continuing the construction
and modernization of railways, highways, airports, border
crossings, and other vital transportation infrastructure.


According to him, establishing new transportation links is also
a priority. In this regard, the Zangezur Corridor is of great
importance.


“The Zangezur Corridor will create significant opportunities for
regional integration and economic prosperity. It will establish an
additional transportation link between the main part of Azerbaijan
and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and open up new
opportunities for regional and international connections,” F.
Aliyev noted.


He stated that the main part of the Zangezur Corridor project in
Azerbaijan is nearly complete and is expected to be put into
operation next year. Construction is also underway on the
Kars–Iğdır–Julfa railway line in Türkiye, with the project
scheduled for completion in 2030.







“Together, these projects will provide the Middle Corridor with
an additional 15 million metric tons of capacity. At the same time,
they will ensure route diversification and strengthen East-West
connections,” he added.


The official noted that Azerbaijan is also expanding the
capabilities of ASCO, which operates the largest fleet on the
Caspian Sea, to meet growing demand.


“We have ordered container ships, superferries, and Ro-Ro
vessels. This year’s figures demonstrate the growing role of the
Middle Corridor. This year, about 600 regular block trains arrived
from China,” F. Aliyev said.


According to him, the main goal is to develop transportation
infrastructure in a way that meets growing demand.


“To ensure the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor within the
global logistics network, it is essential that physical assets be
directly linked to operational efficiency. Predictability,
traceability, and flexibility are of the utmost importance here,”
he emphasized.


F. Aliyev noted that, alongside the development of physical
infrastructure, it is also important to simplify border crossing
procedures, implement AI-based risk management, introduce automated
inspection systems and X-ray scanners, harmonize legal regulations,
and ensure coordination and cooperation.


“The development of physical infrastructure is a prerequisite
for transportation links, but the key here is synchronized
development,” he added.