Azerbaijan Railways says Baku-Tbilisi-Kars freight transportation commenced
Azerbaijan Railways on Monday said the first freight train of the modernised Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway had departed from the country’s Absheron Logistics Centre to Georgia with 20 containers in a symbolic move. Photo: Azerbaijan Railways
Tweet 
Share
Azerbaijan Railways on Monday said the first freight train of the modernised Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway had departed from the country’s Absheron Logistics Centre to Georgia with 20 containers in a symbolic move.
The modernised Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway now reconnects the East and West. The line's annual capacity has increased from one million to five million tonnes after recent upgrades. This enhances freight transport from China and Central Asia through the Middle Corridor via Azerbaijan”, the company said.
Azerbaijani media outlet Azernews on Tuesday cited Emil Ahmadov, the head of the freight department of the company, as saying a 184-kilometre section of the railway line, a part of the Middle Corridor logistics route, had been completed.
He said a joint venture was set to be established based on an agreement signed between the governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia to manage the railway.
The official added work was underway with an international consulting company to develop the business model of the joint enterprise.
The first train carrying goods from Turkey to China that began operating on the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway on December 4 arrived in Georgia last night, announces the Georgian Economy Ministry. Before entering China’s Xi'an province, which is the final stop of the train, it will cover 8,693 kilometer in 12 days.
The first train carrying goods from Turkey to China has begun operating on the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, announces Turkish media outlet Anadolu Agency. The train will pass through five countries on its way to China, where it is scheduled to arrive within 12 days, leaving Turkey by December 8 following the Ankara-Sivas-Kars route.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, an important section in the middle of the modern Silk Road, will soon be fully commissioned, increasing connectivity among Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.
The first ever professionally completed map of the historic railway line linking Georgia with Azerbaijan and Turkey has been published to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Georgian national railway.