Azerbaijan is undergoing significant modernization of its logistics and transport infrastructure to establish itself as a vital hub on international trade routes. This initiative involves enhancing ports, railways, and highways, aimed at solidifying the country’s position within major global transit corridors, as reported by Japan’s Nikkei.
Notably, the Baku International Sea Port has seen remarkable growth, with its capacity expanding to handle over 107,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) in 2025—more than double its volume from 2020. The port mainly sees around 40% of its inbound container traffic from China, with goods ranging from automobiles to apparel. Exports primarily consist of fuels and related products directed towards China and Central Asian nations. Azerbaijan has ambitious plans to increase its annual handling capacity to 25 million tons and 500,000 TEU by 2028.
President Ilham Aliyev has emphasized China’s increasing importance in regional transport flows, expressing expectations that cargo from China and Central Asia will eventually transit via the newly proposed Zangezur corridor. To facilitate this shift, Azerbaijan is not only expanding its primary port but also accelerating the modernization of approximately 1,200 kilometers of rail and highway infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian route.
Azerbaijan aims to transform the South Caucasus region into a zone of geopolitical cooperation, steering clear of confrontational dynamics. Supporting this vision is the proposed TRIPP (Trump Route) project, which would enable cargo to transit from Azerbaijan’s southern border through Armenia to Nakhchivan and onward to Türkiye.
In summary, Azerbaijan is strategically enhancing its logistics infrastructure, aiming for increased trade efficiency and improved regional connectivity. These developments position the country as a pivotal gateway linking various regions, particularly China and Central Asia, while fostering greater geopolitical stability in the South Caucasus.
Source link
