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Qabil Ashirov

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The growing world economy reveals new opportunities and new risks throughout the globe. Based on the demand of the day, transport routes and the location of production facilities change; some old products are being removed from usage, new products are presented, and so on. Currently, the risks emerging in the traditional trade routes, such as the Ukrainian War and clashes in the Red Sea, make it necessary to find new alternatives. In this case, the Middle Corridor and its part, the Tran-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) step forward among such alternatives. Thanks to TITR the old Silk Way is revived and cargo is delivered from China to Europe and vice versa in the shortest period of time. During the visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, it was noted that the period will be shortened further.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, expert on transport Rauf Aghamirzayev noted that it can be said that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is today the only land connection linking Asia and Europe on the Eurasian continent, and as it is known, the importance of this route is increasing day by day. He emphasized that this also was noted during the recent visit of the Kazakh President to Azerbaijan.

"As mentioned during the visit, despite the Caspian Sea separating us, it also brings the continents together. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route also plays an important role here. Cargo transportation is observed with increasing dynamics. In 2023, 2.7 million tons of cargo was transported. However, I think that by 2030 this number will reach 10-15 million tons. It should be noted that the potential is many times greater than this. It should be taken into account that at the end of the 80s of the last century, the maximum transfer capacity of the Azerbaijani railways was 100 million tons. Reaching 100 million ton loads is inevitable. The foundation laying ceremony of Anaklia Port will be held this year. This port will be able to handle 100 million tons of cargo and receive one million containers," Rauf Aghamirzayev said.

The emphasized added that the opening of the port of Anaklia will stimulate the Trans-Caspian transport route to attract and transfer more cargo. He also touched on the classification of cargo and said that different types of cargo will be transported through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

"Initially, the cargo of the regional countries, that is, the Central Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan, can be transported. Here includes the transportation of uranium, grain products, fertilizer products, partially oil products, non-ferrous metals, etc. This will continue on increasing dynamics. Because as the freight turnover increases, the efficiency of the route will increase, and after all the planned works have been completed, different prices and increase in the volume of freight will be observed," he pointed out.

Rauf Aghamirzayev also added that the new export geography is also expected to increase. He noted that the delivery of cargo from Xi’an City of China to the Absheron Group Port of Baku exemplifies it. Block trains of this type are expected to arrive this year. He reminded that 60 blocks of trains have been delivered, and as a result of these works, the change of the location of exported products in the world is also on the agenda.

"Events in the Red Sea have revealed new risks, and to minimize these risks, the transfer of production facilities to different regions is the subject of discussion. In this context, it is precisely the countries of the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, that are geographically located in the center. Being located in this center gives us additional opportunities to establish these production facilities in our countries and ensure their delivery on existing routes. The shorter the transport leg, the lower the transport costs. This is reflected in the final value of the product," expert Rauf Aghamirzayev concluded.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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