BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 16. The global
transport agenda is increasingly shaped by geopolitical
realignments, expanding regional trade, and efforts to diversify
and secure logistics routes. Within this evolving landscape, the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the Middle Corridor)
has emerged as one of the fastest-growing Eurasian corridors. In
2024, cargo volumes along the route increased by approximately 68%,
with projections indicating growth to around 11 million tons by
2030, while total freight flows across Central Asia are expected to
rise by 1.5 times to 90-95 million tons by the end of the
decade.
Within this context, Turkmenistan is at a transitional stage in
the development of its transport sector, seeking to leverage its
geographic position between the Caspian region, Iran, Afghanistan,
and Central Asia to strengthen its transit role. Since 2019,
investments in transport infrastructure have exceeded $4.6 billion,
with road and railway projects, as well as maritime logistics,
remaining key priorities. At the same time, structural constraints
persist, including limited access to foreign capital and the need
for deeper integration into regional supply chains.
A key multilateral mechanism with the potential to facilitate
progress in these areas is the Ashgabat Agreement, which
establishes a multimodal corridor linking Central Asia with the
Persian Gulf. In parallel, Turkmenistan has concluded bilateral
agreements with Uzbekistan and Iran aimed at reducing transit costs
and simplifying procedures, while the Customs Code updated in 2023
prioritizes digitalization and the implementation of a “single
window” system.
According to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), container
traffic in Central Asia is expected to increase by approximately
66% by 2030. The Middle Corridor is increasingly viewed as a key
alternative to traditional East-West routes. To meet projected
demand, the region will require around 18.5 billion euros, or
approximately $21.5 billion, in transport infrastructure
investments.
Turkmenistan’s regional neighbors are also in the thick of these
processes. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are modernizing railway and
port capacities, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are focusing on
integration into regional and South Asian transport routes. In
light of this situation, Turkmenistan is frequently seen as a
diamond in the rough, a transit link that could bridge the Caspian
region with Iran and Afghanistan.
At the national level, major projects connecting Turkmenistan’s
borders across its territory include the M37 highway running from
the Caspian coast to the eastern regions, the 600-kilometer
Ashgabat-Turkmenabat highway, and the ongoing development of the
Turkmenbashi International Seaport.
Turkmenistan’s road network extends approximately 58,600
kilometers, more than 80% of which is paved. In recent years,
large-scale highway and bridge construction projects have been
implemented, alongside updates to the regulatory framework
governing road construction and traffic safety.
All things considered, the country still has its work cut out
for it when it comes to modernizing rural roads, rolling out
digital transport solutions, and boosting infrastructure
maintenance efficiency—elements that have a direct impact on its
overall transit potential.
Railway infrastructure has also been upgraded in recent years,
with key lines such as Tejen-Serakhs, Turkmenabat-Kerki, and
Ashgabat-Dashoguz adding more than 1,600 kilometers of modernized
and newly developed routes.
Turkmenistan has established a foundational infrastructure and
regulatory framework for participation in regional transport
processes. Amid accelerating transit growth across Central Asia,
Ashgabat is demonstrating a willingness to adapt its transport
policies and infrastructure priorities, positioning the country as
a potentially more flexible element within the emerging Eurasian
logistics architecture.
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