CHINA Railway (CR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) to strengthen cooperation, highlighting the strategic importance of developing intermodal freight traffic along the Middle Corridor or Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).
Running via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, the Middle Corridor is the shortest route by rail between China and Europe. Its attractiveness as an alternative to the northern route via Russia has increased following the invasion of Ukraine.
The MoU was signed during a meeting earlier this month in Beijing between CR president, Sun Shuyou, and ADY chairman, Rovshan Rustamov. The document identifies the need to implement digital technology in order to optimise management processes, increase efficiency and improve customer service on cross-border freight corridors.
As the two national railways work more closely together, China Railway Container Transport (CRCT) is expected to join Middle Corridor Multimodal, a joint venture established by ADY, Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) and Georgian Railway (GR).
ADY and CR have agreed to deepen cooperation in the development of railway and port infrastructure, and to increase container transport capacity across the Caspian Sea. The objective is to enable up to 10 block trains to operate on the Middle Corridor every day.
In 2024 freight moving by rail between China and Azerbaijan grew by 47% to reach 612,000 tonnes, with Azerbaijan receiving 287 block trains from China. A total of 199 block trains were received in the first six months of 2025, a figure which is expected to exceed 400 by the end of this year.
New flows include a service from Jinzhong in China’s Shanxi Province to Baku in Azerbaijan. The first train carrying 50 containers loaded with photovoltaic panels departed on July 9.
ADY says that the MoU particularly highlights the need to increase capacity on the key section of the Middle Corridor running from Baku via Tibilisi in Geogia to Kars in Turkey, known as the BTK line.
Kazakhstan MoU
Separately, CR has signed an MoU to develop the Middle Corridor with KTZ, agreeing to improve infrastructure connectivity and to implement joint investment projects for new and upgraded lines, logistics facilities and intermodal terminals. Key priorities include developing container traffic and implementing digital technology to facilitate cross-border operation.
“The signed agreement reflects current priorities and will provide a strong impetus for the development of China - Europe transport, strengthening Kazakhstan's strategic role as a key transit hub in Eurasia and enhancing the appeal of the Trans-Caspian route," KTZ says.
