Ways to expand Middle Corridor infrastructure capabilities revealed

In order to speed up cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route), it is necessary to overcome the existing infrastructure restrictions in a number of directions, mainly in Kazakhstan and Georgia, transport expert Rauf Agamirzayev told Report.

He said that the Middle Corridor is an alternative to routes passing through Russia: “However, there are sections with low capacity on different segments of the Middle Corridor. Kazakhstan is one of the active countries of the Middle Corridor. Last year, the volume of goods transported by Kazakhstan along this route, increased by 2.5 times compared to 2021 and reached 1.5 million tons. Kazakhstan is building a third border checkpoint in the Almaty direction. But the port infrastructure of Kazakhstan is not capable of handling large volumes of cargo, it needs expansion. Kazakhstan’s main interest is in the transportation of oil, coal, uranium, but the Chinese concept of the Belt and Road Initiative is aimed at increasing container traffic. In this context, it is necessary to carry out work to expand the infrastructure of the ports of Aktau and Kurik.”

Agamirzayev noted that work on the construction of the second phase of the Baku port will begin this year: “On the railway, work is being completed related to the transition to an alternating current system in the direction of Ujar-Baku. It is also necessary to upgrade the rolling stock of the railway.”

He added that Georgia is also one of the most important countries of the Middle Corridor: “Sometimes, cargo sent from Azerbaijan is delayed in the Georgian port. Currently, the priority for Georgia is the construction of the deep-water port of Anaklia on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. The port will be able to receive up to 100 million tons of cargo and up to 1 million containers. Panamax type ships will moor in this port.”

The expert added that Georgia is waiting for the completion of the modernization of roads and railways along the East-West corridor in 2024.

“Türkiye has announced a railway expansion project. This is a vast project. It is expected that over 30 years, $190 billion will be invested in the infrastructure of Türkiye. Some 63% of this amount will be invested in the railway annually. That’s because the potential of the railway is great, but the capacity ability is many times lower than its potential,” the expert added.