Azerbaijan Leading Role in Middle Corridor: ADY Express Launches Weekly Container Block Train Service

ADY Express, the rail freight arm of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), launched the first express container block train service on the Azerbaijan-Georgia route in late January. In its statement, ADY said: "Under the agreements reached, ADY Express will operate express container block train services on a regular basis — weekly and according to an approved schedule."

The move strengthens Azerbaijan's leading role on the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route). The corridor runs from western China via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to Türkiye. Azerbaijan's strategic geography forms the most efficiently operating mid-segment of the corridor. The Alat Port in Baku handles containers crossing the Caspian via ferry operations.

Weekly regular block train service offers shippers predictable transit times. The express character allows cargo to reach its destination without station-based transshipment. In recent years, Azerbaijan has invested in integration with the BTK (Baku-Tbilisi-Kars) line, Alat Port capacity expansion, and multimodal rail-road services. Cooperation agreements with Georgian Railways also speed up customs processes for freight transit. European market access via the Middle Corridor is becoming a more attractive alternative with these developments.

Key Takeaways:
1. ADY Express launched its first express container block train on the Azerbaijan-Georgia route in late January.
2. The service will run regularly on a weekly approved schedule.
3. The move strengthens Azerbaijan's leading role on the Middle Corridor.
4. Azerbaijan's geography forms the most efficiently operating mid-segment of the corridor.
5. BTK line integration and Alat Port investment make the corridor attractive.