The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, a key line on the Middle Corridor between China and Europe, will more than triple in capacity. By 2034, the BTK line will have a capacity of 17 million tonnes, up from the current five million tonnes annually, according to a Turkish official.
The Turkish official, the head of the strategic studies centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made such an announcement during a session of the CICA Think Tank Forum. The figure of 17 million tonnes was first floated by Turkish officials in 2017, but without a target date. The end goal for the BTK line was stated to be 50 million tonnes at the time.
In 2017, the 800-kilometre long BTK line opened for the first time. It links Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, forming a critical segment of the Middle Corridor. The railway allows for freight to bypass Russia, where sanctions and political considerations complicate China – Europe transportation. Between 2023 and 2024, the line underwent upgrades in Georgia, causing a year-long closure.