The Middle Corridor is gradually moving beyond the traditional concept of a transport route between Asia and Europe. Growing cargo volumes, shorter delivery times, the development of port and railway infrastructure, the introduction of digital solutions and new logistics services are turning the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route into a comprehensive economic ecosystem. This process is particularly important for Azerbaijan.
The country is located at the center of the Caspian-Caucasus segment of the route, connecting Central Asia with Georgia, Türkiye and European markets. Therefore, the development of the Middle Corridor creates opportunities for Azerbaijan not only to increase transit traffic, but also to attract investment, develop logistics and expand trade and economic ties. From a route between regions to an economic platform Today, the Middle Corridor connects China, the countries of Central Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe.
Its importance is growing as companies and governments seek a more diversified and resilient system of international supply chains. At the same time, the nature of the route itself is gradually changing. While the initial focus was primarily on moving cargo, the Middle Corridor is now developing a broader range of services, including multimodal transportation, port handling, container logistics, railway services, warehousing solutions and digital support.
This is why the Middle Corridor is increasingly being described as an economic corridor rather than simply a transport route. In an article, Alexi Alexishvili, president of consulting company PMCG, notes that economic corridors can not only move goods, but also stimulate investment, industrial development, integration into global supply chains and job creation. This approach is particularly relevant for the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, which can use their geographical position to expand economic cooperation with China and European markets.
Growing cargo volumes show the changing scale The dynamics of recent years demonstrate that interest in the route is becoming increasingly practical. According to data cited in an exclusive interview with Trend by Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Asset Nusupov, cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor increased more than fivefold from 2022 to 2025. In 2025, total cargo transportation reached 4.5–4.7 million tons, while container traffic amounted to 76,900 TEUs, up 36% year-on-year.
Positive dynamics have continued in 2026. In the first quarter, 125 container trains traveled along the route, up 34.4% compared with the same period last year. The Xi’an–Alat Port route has shown particularly strong growth: 85 trains traveled along it in the first three months of the year, twice as many as a year earlier.
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