ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 10. Kazakhstan is set
to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Azerbaijan to enhance
cooperation on the development of the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor), Trend reports, citing
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport.
"The participating countries will continue their joint efforts
to develop the route, enhance its attractiveness for international
cargo shippers, and increase its capacity. To elevate the
institutional status of TITR, a draft intergovernmental agreement
on cooperation with Azerbaijan has been developed. The signing of
the agreement is planned in the near future," the ministry
said.
Furthermore, it is noted that over the past 7 years, the volume
of transportation along TITR has increased fivefold, rising from
0.8 million tons to 4.5 million tons annually. By the end of 2025,
approximately 77,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were
transported via the route. The target for 2029 is to reach 300,000
TEUs.
The Middle Corridor is a transport trade route passing through
several countries in the region and connecting Asia with Europe. It
serves as an alternative to the traditional Northern and Southern
corridors.
The route begins in China and passes through Central Asia, then
crosses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before
reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor is a land-based route that
bypasses longer maritime paths, linking eastern parts of Asia,
including China, with Europe.
