The General Meeting of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route International Association

On March 4, 2025, a session of the General Meeting of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route International Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and it was attended by Batumi Port Authority.

 During the meeting, the participants of the General Meeting discussed the Association's activities for 2024 and plans for 2025.

According to the members of the Association, the volume of cargo transportation through the sea ports of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in 2024 amounted to 3.3 million tons of cargo, which is 20% more than in 2023. The indicator of container traffic amounted to 56.5 thousand TEU, which is 176% more than in 2023. The number of container trains shipped from China increased 33 times in 2024 compared to 2023. The participants of the General Meeting also approved the cargo and container transportation plan for 2025 and updated the tariff rates for 2025.

 During the meeting, it was also announced the opening of a Representative Office of the Association in the People's Republic of China, in the city of Xian. This step is aimed at expanding cooperation with Chinese partners and strengthening transport links. It is expected that the opening of a Representative Office in Xian will open up new opportunities for the development of freight transportation along the TITR route and increase the effectiveness of cooperation with Chinese companies.

The Ukraine has declared its intention to once again actively participate in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), known as the Middle Corridor, which connects East Asia with Western Europe through the Caucasus and Central Asia. This was announced by Mr.Alexander Pertsovsky, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Ukrainian Railways, at the round table "Middle Corridor: Communication across the Caspian Sea" in Baku. He added that active work is underway to restore ferry service with Georgia, which will integrate the Ukrainian railway network into the logistics chain of the Middle Corridor. According to the head of Ukrzaliznytsia, this will be stimulus for economic recovery and strengthening the transit potential of the country, despite the ongoing conflict.

The companies Xian Free Trade Port (China), PotiTrans Terminals (Kazakhstan) and UZ Cargo Poland (Poland) were accepted as associate members of the Association.

 In addition, a round table on the topic "Middle Corridor: Connectivity via Caspian Sea" was held as part of the General Meeting. The forum participants — representatives of transport and logistics companies, as well as experts in the field of maritime navigation and cargo transportation — discussed key issues related to transportation across the Caspian Sea. The discussion focused on such topics as the increase in cargo transportation through the Caspian Sea, the development of port infrastructure, the impact of new technologies and international cooperation on fleet efficiency, as well as environmental aspects of cargo transportation in the region.