BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 14. Shifting
international supply chains and expanding trade in Asia are driving
demand for sustainable transport routes. For businesses,
predictable delivery times, competitive rates, and reliable access
to foreign markets are becoming increasingly important. Against
this backdrop, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor –
linking China and Central Asia to Turkey and Europe via the Caspian
Sea and the South Caucasus – is emerging as a key area for regional
cooperation.


For landlocked Uzbekistan, developing this corridor is part of a
broader policy to diversify foreign trade routes. The country’s
participation not only expands the cargo volume along this route
but also strengthens transport links between Asian nations. A
primary objective is to establish a seamless logistics chain that
ensures effective coordination between rail, road, and maritime
transport.


The route’s growing importance is evidenced by the rise in the
volume of Uzbek cargo shipments. By the end of 2025, this volume
reached 1.2 million tonnes – a twofold increase over the past five
years. The share of the "Middle Corridor" in Uzbekistan’s freight
trade with the European Union rose from 12 percent in 2021 to 28
percent in 2025. This demonstrates the route's gradual integration
into the logistics chains of domestic businesses.


The CASCA+ international multimodal route serves as a key
cooperation mechanism, linking the Asia-Pacific region to Europe
via China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, and Turkey. Within this framework, railway authorities
coordinate transport terms and offer tariff discounts that reach up
to 70 percent on certain segments. Future efforts will focus on
ensuring regular shipments, synchronizing schedules, and expanding
container transport.


New Railway Links


The China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway holds strategic
importance for the development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor.
Integrating this line with Central Asia’s transport network and
Caspian ports will establish an additional route between China and
Europe via Uzbekistan. This will create opportunities to boost
transit volumes, develop logistics services, and expand industrial
cooperation among the region's states.


Looking ahead, advancing the Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan
railway project and linking it with the Trans-Caspian route could
strengthen connections between South Asia, Central Asia, and the
South Caucasus. The interplay of these routes lays the foundation
for developing transport along both East – West and North – South
axes.


Particular attention is being paid to Uzbekistan’s potential
participation in developing the Nakhchivan railway route. This
project offers a promising way to expand cargo delivery options via
the South Caucasus to Turkey and, subsequently, to Europe. Defining
the format of participation involves assessing potential cargo
flows, economic viability, and integration with existing routes.
Developing this corridor could provide greater flexibility in
selecting transport routes within the Trans-Caspian network.


Ferry Service and Logistics Center in Poti


Maritime transport across the Caspian Sea remains a key link in
the corridor. Vessel availability, port coordination, and the
timely arrival of ground transport directly impact overall delivery
times. Therefore, expanding maritime capacity must be accompanied
by more frequent and reliable service.


In this regard, Uzbekistan is working with Azerbaijani partners
to procure two ferries for Caspian Sea operations. These additional
vessels aim to reduce cargo waiting times at ports and enable more
precise delivery planning. Project planning takes into account
technical specifications, port infrastructure, and operational
cost-effectiveness. For national exporters, regular service is
particularly crucial when transporting perishable goods and
fulfilling contracts with fixed delivery deadlines.







Another practical initiative involves establishing a logistics
center near the port of Poti in Georgia. Uzbekistan is leasing a
four-hectare site for the facility's construction. The project
includes plans for standard and refrigerated warehouses to handle
export-import cargo, including fruit and vegetable products.


The center will facilitate the storage, accumulation, and
consolidation of cargo shipments for subsequent transport across
the Black Sea. This will provide national exporters with new
opportunities to organize shipments to European markets, while
allowing freight forwarding companies to expand their service
offerings. Thus, the Poti facility, the additional ferries, and the
Nakhchivan railway route complement one another, strengthening
various segments of the integrated transport chain.


Digitalization and Harmonized Procedures


Infrastructure development must be accompanied by the removal of
administrative barriers. The need to resubmit information,
inconsistent document requirements, and lengthy border processing
times reduce transport efficiency. Creating a seamless corridor
requires the interoperability of information systems, the advance
exchange of data, and the mutual recognition of electronic
documents.


Uzbekistan is making a practical contribution through the
development of "E-Permit," a system for the electronic exchange of
international road transport permits. The experience gained lays
the groundwork for expanding digital cooperation among the
corridor's participating states. Also of great importance is the
Agreement on the Unified TRACECA Transit Permit, signed on May 15,
2026, in Astana by Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan,
and Ukraine. Once domestic procedures are completed and the
agreement enters into force, it will enable transit operations to
be carried out using a single, unified permit.


Future work will focus on developing electronic waybills (e-CMR
and e-CIM/SMGS), harmonizing customs operations, and implementing
electronic queuing systems. Shipment data must accompany the cargo
during intermodal transfers, thereby minimizing data re-entry and
accelerating processing times.


Uzbekistan views the development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor
as a practical contribution to strengthening transport connectivity
across Asia. New rail links, plans to acquire vessels, the
establishment of a logistics center in Poti, and the digitalization
of transport operations are expanding opportunities for trade and
regional cooperation. The coordinated implementation of these
initiatives will enhance supply reliability, reduce logistics
costs, and strengthen ties between Asian and European markets.


Ildar Renatovich Yaushev


Chief Specialist, Department of the Center for the Study of
Transport and Logistics Development Issues, Ministry of Transport
of the Republic of Uzbekistan.