Caucasus Trade Corridor Sees 47% Volume Increase

The Caucasus transportation corridor processed 8.4 million tons of cargo in the first nine months of 2025, marking a 47% increase from the previous year as the region solidifies its position in international logistics.

Rail infrastructure connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey transported 6.2 million tons, while maritime routes through the Black Sea and Caspian Sea handled the remainder. Transit times between Central Asia and Europe decreased from 21 to 14 days.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway operated at 78% capacity utilization, with plans for additional rolling stock and terminal expansions to accommodate growing demand. Container traffic increased 62%, driven by electronics and automotive components shipments.

Georgia's port facilities in Poti and Batumi underwent $280 million in modernization projects, expanding container handling capacity by 35%. Automated cargo systems reduced ship turnaround times from 32 to 19 hours.

Regional governments established a unified customs information system, enabling digital documentation sharing and reducing border crossing delays by 60%. Single window implementation streamlined administrative procedures significantly.

Industry analysts project cargo volumes could reach 15 million tons annually by 2027 as Chinese manufacturers increasingly utilize the Middle Corridor for European market access.