Baku:Azerbaijan is solidifying its position as a key international transport and logistics hub. The country has reported a record high in transit cargo transportation, surpassing 12 million tons in the first nine months of 2026. This achievement is attributed to the development of the East-West and North-South international transport corridors, alongside significant infrastructure projects undertaken in recent years, According to Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the transit cargo volume marked a 14.5% increase over the same period last year. Specifically, the East-West route saw a 20.2% rise, while the North-South route experienced a 19.0% increase.
Port operations have also seen notable improvements, with container handling up by 29% to 100,000 TEU, and dry cargo handling rising by 71% to 1.73 million tons. These trends reflect efforts to enhance transport and logistics infrastructure, digitalization, and coordination among relevant institutions, which have boosted operational efficiency and international cooperation. Additionally, shifting global trade routes have increased demand for Azerbaijan’s transit capabilities.
The country has implemented large-scale projects to develop its railway, road, maritime, and air transport infrastructure, enhancing its transit capacity and competitiveness. Notably, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line has been modernized, elevating its annual freight capacity to 5 million tons.
Moreover, the Baku International Sea Trade Port has expanded its infrastructure, increasing its annual container handling capacity from 100,000 TEU to 160,000 TEU. Improved operational coordination has reduced vessel handling time from about 20 hours to just 4-5 hours. The port’s current annual cargo handling capacity is 15 million tons, with plans to expand this to 25 million tons and increase container handling to 500,000 TEU.