Turkic States Chart New Course with Caspian Sea Ferry Link

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has taken a significant step toward enhancing regional connectivity by agreeing to launch a new ferry service across the Caspian Sea.

At the eighth meeting of the Transport Ministers of the OTS held in Kazakhstan’s Almaty on October 1, officials discussed key issues of transport cooperation among member countries, with a strong focus on advancing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, The Caspian Post reports via the Kazakh Transport Ministry.

The meeting, held as part of the seventh New Silk Way International Transport and Logistics Business Forum, brought together the Secretary-General of the OTS and transport ministers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.

During the session, ministers concentrated on enhancing collaboration between member states by prioritizing the development of TITR, the implementation of digital technologies, and the streamlining of electronic transit procedures.

To boost maritime transport, the ministers endorsed initiatives to increase cargo shipments across the Caspian Sea, expand transshipment capacities, and launch new ferry services. An expert meeting involving relevant authorities from OTS member states is planned to further these initiatives.

Railway administrations received renewed support for organizing regular block trains, including those using the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route. The ministers agreed on accelerating the digitization of transport processes by adopting electronic systems such as e-Permit, e-TIR, and e-CMR.

The meeting also highlighted successful pilot projects, including the full digital exchange of foreign permit forms, a move expected to improve efficiency and transparency in cross-border transport.

Participants underscored that the agreements reached will open new opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity, promote trade, and deepen economic ties among Turkic states.

The session concluded with the signing of a final Communiqué reflecting the parties’ commitment to further develop transport cooperation. The ninth meeting of the Transport Ministers of the OTS is scheduled for 2026 in Kyrgyzstan.