Azerbaijan, China Ink Key Transport Agreement

Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) and China’s Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in railway logistics, transit operations, and digital transformation, advancing the strategic development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), widely known as the Middle Corridor.

The agreement was concluded during a working visit by an ADY delegation to China, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

A notable highlight of the visit was the official inauguration of a new container yard at Xi’an Port with an annual handling capacity of 20,000 TEU, alongside the appointment of an ADY representative based at the facility-signaling a deepening of bilateral engagement.

The MoU sets out a framework for strengthened cooperation aimed at expanding freight capacity and efficiency along TITR, which links China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the South Caucasus. It also underscores a shared commitment to digital innovation in logistics management.

In meetings with Xi’an Mayor Ye Niuping and senior Xi’an Port officials, ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov stressed the growing importance of coordinated transit development between Azerbaijan and China. He noted that the recent agreements signed during President Ilham Aliyev’s April 2025 visit to China had created strong momentum for expanding cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

“This partnership represents a strategic leap forward for the Middle Corridor,” said Rustamov. “The MoU, our expanded presence in Xi’an, and the integration of digital systems will significantly increase the corridor’s competitiveness and resilience.”

Xi’an Port General Director Yuan Xiaojun welcomed ADY’s onsite presence, noting that it would streamline cross-border cargo coordination and accelerate operational response times. He praised the new container yard as a key asset in facilitating smoother freight flows between Asia and Europe.

The two sides also agreed to implement several joint initiatives, including:

Launching additional container trains on the TITR

Increasing port and rail capacity across the Caspian Sea

Enhancing connectivity to Türkiye and European markets via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway

Applying data-driven logistics solutions for optimized traffic planning