Azerbaijan Railways Reviews 2024: Major Milestones in Advancing International Corridors
Azerbaijan Railways Reviews 2024: Major Milestones in Advancing International Corridors
Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) achieved significant progress in 2024 in developing the Middle Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). These efforts were aligned with the country's objective to diversify its economy.
Increase in Transportation Volumes
According to ADY data, transit cargo volume increased by 5.7 percent in 2024, reaching 7.3 million tons. Import volume rose by 10 percent to 5.2 million tons. The volume of cargo passing through Azerbaijan on the East-West axis exceeded 3.2 million tons. Notably, an 89 percent increase was recorded in petroleum and petroleum products imports. In total, ADY transported 18.5 million tons of cargo in 2024.
Successes on the Middle Corridor
ADY emphasized the successful completion of the first Chinese container block train to reach Baku in 2024 via the Middle Corridor. The train, departing from Xi'an, reached Azerbaijan in 11 days. In total, 358 container block trains were sent from China to Azerbaijan, and more than 27,000 containers were transported via the Middle Corridor in 2024; this represents a 25-fold increase compared to 2023.
International Cooperation and Infrastructure Developments
ADY stood out in 2024 for its international cooperation and infrastructure projects. Participation in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, the establishment of the "Eurasian Transport Routes" association, and the creation of joint ventures with Kazakhstan and Georgia formed the foundation of these achievements. Furthermore, the completion of the Horadiz-Aghband project, the construction of a new railway line between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Turkey, and the modernization of Nakhchivan's railway network are aimed at creating a new branch of the Middle Corridor.
INSTC and South Corridor Developments
ADY signed an agreement with Russia in December 2024 to develop railway infrastructure within the framework of INSTC. Additionally, during a working visit to Iran, matters related to the development and management of the Astara terminal were addressed. The development of INSTC gained momentum with deepening cooperation between Russia and Iran. In particular, the Rasht-Astara railway project stands out as part of Russia's efforts to facilitate access to India via Iran and Azerbaijan while circumventing Western sanctions.
Digitalization and Sustainability Steps
ADY took significant steps in digitalization and sustainability. In October 2024, it secured a $47 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to support digitalization projects. These projects include the modernization of freight transportation operations, asset management, improvements in maintenance and repair processes, and investment planning.
Furthermore, ADY presented its first Sustainability Report, demonstrating its commitment to environmental and corporate responsibility.
Future Targets
ADY aims to increase cargo volumes on the East-West and North-South corridors by 2 to 4 times by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is focusing on strategies such as prioritizing strategic freight transportation, effectively managing customer relationships, implementing dynamic tariffs, digitalization, expanding supply chains, developing new services, and establishing partnerships.
Key Highlights:
Transit Cargo Volume Increase: Rose by 5.7 percent in 2024 to reach 7.3 million tons.
Middle Corridor Growth: The number of containers transported from China to Azerbaijan increased 25-fold compared to 2023.
International Cooperation: Cooperation was strengthened through projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars line and the "Eurasian Transport Routes" association.
Digitalization Investments: Digitalization projects were supported with a $47 million loan from the Asian Development Bank.
Sustainability Report: ADY presented its first Sustainability Report, demonstrating its environmental commitment.
Future Targets: Plans to increase cargo volumes on the East-West and North-South corridors by two to four times by 2030.
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