Azerbaijan is determined to establish a green corridor along the Middle Corridor route, stretching from China to Europe, Taleh Ziyadov, Director General of the Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC told journalists, Report informs.
Ziyadov emphasized the need for all parties involved in the Middle Corridor to unite their efforts to transform it into a green route. "This applies to the port, the railway, the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO), as well as all the involved countries. Coordination is underway. Everyone understands that the green corridor is important for all," he stated.
The director general highlighted that the requirements for a green corridor are not extensive, mainly involving the green certification of ports and the transition of railways to clean energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Ziyadov also pointed out that the European Union intends to introduce a carbon tax in 2026. "This means that if your container arrives in the European Union, they will look at the source used for its delivery. And if the source is not green, a tax will be levied," he explained.
Azerbaijan's idea, Ziyadov said, is to create a corridor that is entirely green from China to Europe, ensuring that even if the situation changes in the future, everyone will prefer to use this corridor because of its eco-friendly nature.
According to the director general, the greening process encompasses all modes of transport involved in the Middle Corridor, including containers, ports, ships, and railways in Azerbaijan and Georgia. Ziyadov noted that Kazakhstan is seriously considering the use of hydrogen as a green fuel, adding, "I think in 5-10 years, it [hydrogen] will be more accessible for general use."
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, is an international transport route that runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and further to Türkiye and European countries. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is part of this corridor.