BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. The Maritime
Single Window (MSW) initiative is set to be launched at ports
across the Caspian Sea, aiming to simplify procedures and enhance
transparency in maritime transport, Trend reports, citing the Transport Corridor
Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA).
The announcement was made during the Caspian Ports and Logistics
2025 international exhibition and conference, within the session
titled “Middle Corridor: Achievements of the Aktau Hub in 2025 and
Prospects for 2026” held in Aktau.
The MSW is an electronic “single window” system for maritime
transport, designed to streamline port operations and increase
transparency.
“Special attention was given to TRACECA’s Digital Concept, the
work of the Digitalization Working Group, and the preparation of
the Agreement on the Use of Electronic Documents, aimed at
promoting paperless transport and mutual recognition of electronic
data among participating countries. Plans to launch the Maritime
Single Window initiative at Caspian Sea ports were also highlighted
as a key tool to simplify procedures and enhance transparency in
maritime transport,” the report stated.
During the session, participants discussed the achievements of
Aktau port in 2025, plans to expand container handling capacity,
the implementation of modern port and shipping management systems,
and prospects for strengthening cooperation along the Middle
Corridor with the involvement of international financial
institutions and the business community.
The event aimed to promote sustainable multimodal connectivity
between Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia, strengthen collaboration
among governments, international organizations, and the private
sector, and exchange experience on improving port infrastructure,
logistics processes, and cross-border transport along the Middle
Corridor routes.
Discussions focused on port modernization, digitalization of
transport processes, adoption of international standards, and
enhancing the competitiveness of Caspian routes.
TRACECA Secretary General Asset Assavbayev addressed the
session, emphasizing the importance of TRACECA’s experience in
developing transport links and the significance of the TRACECA
Basic Multilateral Agreement as a legal foundation for the
corridor. He also highlighted the organization’s current
priorities, including the implementation of the TRACECA Strategy
and Action Plan, development of port and multimodal infrastructure,
and promotion of initiatives for digital transformation in
transport and logistics processes.
The Middle Corridor is a trade transport route connecting Asia
and Europe, serving as an alternative to traditional northern and
southern corridors. It starts in China, passes through Central
Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan,
crosses the Caspian Sea, continues through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and
Türkiye, and reaches Europe. This overland route bypasses longer
maritime paths, linking eastern regions of Asia, including China,
directly with Europe.
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