A significant milestone in global trade connectivity was achieved with the launch of a new freight train route from Jinhua, in China’s Zhejiang Province, to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, via Turkmenistan’s Turkmenbashi port. This development marks the opening of the Jinhua-Turkmenbashi-Baku multimodal transport corridor, a key component of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. The initiative is part of China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at enhancing logistical and economic ties across Eurasia.
The freight train, which departed from Jinhua, carries cargo that will cross the Caspian Sea from Turkmenbashi to Baku, establishing a vital trade link between China, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. According to Chinese authorities, this new route, the 26th international logistics route from Zhejiang Province, is expected to reduce pressure on the traditional Aktau-Baku logistics line and expedite the delivery of goods to Central Asian and European markets. The corridor’s strategic importance lies in its ability to bypass longer maritime routes, offering a faster and more efficient land-based alternative for intercontinental commerce.
Azerbaijan’s role as a pivotal node in this new geo-economic framework was further solidified through agreements signed during a high-level meeting in Beijing on April 23, 2025. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev approved the “Agreement on International Multimodal Transportation” between Azerbaijan and China. This agreement underscores Baku’s growing significance in the BRI, transforming it from a transit point into a central hub in the 21st-century Silk Road.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also expressed strong support for the Middle Corridor, announcing plans to invest over $3.5 billion between 2025 and 2028 to develop transport systems, logistics infrastructure, and business along the route.
While the new route promises economic benefits, including faster delivery times and enhanced regional connectivity, some analysts urge caution. The Middle Corridor’s development, while reducing reliance on maritime routes vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, operates in a complex region with competing interests.
Azerbaijan, for its part, is actively modernizing its section of the Middle Corridor to meet growing freight demands, with projects aimed at simplifying cross-border procedures and reducing tariffs. The country’s strategic partnership with China, evidenced by recent media and transport cooperation agreements, positions Baku as a key player in reshaping Eurasian trade dynamics. As the Middle Corridor gains traction, it is poised to drive economic integration and development across the region, with Baku at its epicenter.
