Baku: The Global South Voices project by CGTN has recently featured an extensive report on the Middle Corridor, a significant trade route, produced by AZERTAC news agency.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, this initiative by China Global Television Network aims to amplify the perspectives of Global South countries, offering a platform for critical issues impacting these nations.
AZERTAC’s report highlighted the expansion of a major land and sea trade route connecting China and Europe, spurred by significant increases in trade volumes. The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, links China and Southeast Asia with Europe, traversing Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye. This route, established in February 2014 by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, has become a critical alternative to disrupted traditional routes due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent European sanctions against Russia.
In recent years, the Middle Corridor h
as emerged as a vital artery for trade between China and Europe, offering a more efficient path than the Northern Corridor. Notably, the volume of cargo transported along this route increased by 62 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 4.5 million tons. The first ten months of 2025 saw a 12 percent increase in container trains departing from China along this route.
By 2030, forecasts by the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predict that shipments along the Middle Corridor will reach 11 million tons. Azerbaijan’s strategic investments in infrastructure, including the Port of Baku and a new cargo airport in the Alat Free Economic Zone, aim to bolster its role as a key transit hub and enhance the corridor’s capacity and efficiency.
Efforts are underway to transform the Middle Corridor into a sustainable and environmentally friendly trade route. Azerbaijan’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure a
nd expanding international partnerships aligns with its long-term economic strategy. The recent meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the strengthening cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing the importance of the Trans-Caspian route.
Additionally, the Zangezur Corridor project aims to restore historical connections within Azerbaijan, further enhancing regional connectivity and development opportunities. These initiatives promise to solidify Azerbaijan’s standing as a pivotal player in global trade logistics.