For the first time in the history of Azerbaijan-China trade relations, export cargo has been sent from Baku to China by rail, Report informs, citing Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).
The sending ceremony of the first export train was attended by high-level delegations from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan railways, leadership of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route secretariat, as well as leading officials from China's Xi'an Chanba International Port Management Committee.
The first Baku-Xi'an export block train consists of 62 40-foot containers. This cargo will be delivered multimodally via Kazakhstan to Xi'an Port, one of China's largest dry ports. Within the project framework, it's planned to send a total of 15,000 tons, or 600 containers of export cargo to China via this route by the end of 2024.
Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways Arif Aghayev emphasized the significance of this landmark event in his speech: "This initiative will not only elevate Azerbaijan's export potential to a new level but also strengthen our country's strategic position in the global trade system. Today's event is of great importance for cargo transportation in both directions along the West-East route. Local entrepreneurs will now be able to send their cargo directly to China via the Middle Corridor. As ADY, we are working on several important projects to transform our country into an international transport and logistics hub."
Ziya Aghayev, Chairman of the Board of Absheron Logistics Center, noted that this event will strengthen Azerbaijan's status as a transit country and create opportunities for local producers to access new markets: "Today, for the first time, we are exporting Azerbaijani goods via the Middle Corridor in block containers. This project will both contribute to the development of the local economy and increase foreign investors' interest in our country. Azerbaijan's integration into the international trade network is progressing rapidly."
The regular export cargo transportation to China opens new opportunities for increased cargo flow and handling volumes and revenues for ADY, Absheron Logistics Center, Baku International Sea Trade Port, and Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC. This cooperation exemplifies public-private partnership and demonstrates the efficient and coordinated work of key operators in the Azerbaijan segment of the Middle Corridor.
While these export products previously reached the world market through Georgia's Black Sea ports, now ADY, Absheron Logistics Center, Baku International Sea Trade Port, and Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC will directly carry out this process by creating new logistics solutions using Azerbaijan's own ports and capabilities.
Since the beginning of 2024, 280 container block trains have been sent from the People's Republic of China to Azerbaijan. By the end of this year, it's planned to receive over 300 container block trains from China along this route. For 2025, it's planned to increase the number of block trains more than threefold to 1,000.