Opening of Zangazur corridor to boost Middle Corridor capacity by 10–12 million tons

To achieve freight traffic volumes of 11 million tons along the Middle Corridor, a comprehensive set of measures is required, including modernizing physical infrastructure and enhancing logistical efficiency, Aytan Turabova, Senior Advisor at the Transport Policy Department of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, said during the roundtable discussion "Azerbaijan – The Crossroads of Transcontinental Megaroutes: East-West and North-South."

According to Turabova, the development of East-West and North-South corridors is one of Azerbaijan’s strategic priorities.

"According to the World Bank, freight traffic along the Middle Corridor could reach 11 million tons by 2030. To achieve this, we must develop both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ infrastructure, including improving physical facilities and optimizing logistics processes," she said.

Turabova emphasized that Azerbaijan has been consistently investing in transportation infrastructure for over 20 years, recognizing the strategic importance of these routes.

Additionally, Turabova noted that the second phase of the Horadiz-Aghband railway project is currently underway.

"This railway is of particular importance as it will be directly linked to the Zangazur Corridor, ensuring a direct connection between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Türkiye. Overall, calculations show that opening the Zangazur Corridor will increase the Middle Corridor's capacity by 10–12 million tons," she added.