Logistics companies are increasingly interested in moving freight along alternative routes, such as the Middle Corridor. That follows from a report by the Italian container trading company Sogese. Moreover, Sogese sees a tightening European container market contrary to usual seasonal patterns.
Sogese observes increased commercial interest in alternative Eurasian corridors. Europe-bound trades, diversification-driven supply chains, emerging markets and parts of Central Asia are demonstrating resilience, unlike US-linked and conflict-exposed trade corridors, the company says.
The expanding trade activity in Eurasia seems to be there to stay, a feature of a quickly changing political and economic world. “What we are observing across Central Asia increasingly looks less like temporary rerouting and more like structural network diversification”, Monti said. “As investment activity, equipment flows and operator interest increase, alternative corridors are becoming a larger consideration within long-term logistics planning.”
Various factors support the Middle Corridor thesis
Sogese highlights increasing infrastructure investment activity, stronger rail utilisation and tightening equipment availability across parts of Central Asia. This suggests that the Middle Corridor is attracting logistics activity for the long term, rather than “functioning purely as a contingency route.”
The Italian company explained to RailFreight.com that it considers development initiatives at the Port of Baku, the World Bank’s involvement in the Middle Corridor and the CKU railway as infrastructure works to be indications of a change in the role of the corridor in global logistics.
Furthermore, it sees greater attention from shippers, operators and policymakers over the past few years as companies seek alternatives to traditional Eurasian routes. And while Sogese admits it does not have a quantified regional measure of container availability in Central Asia, the company’s assessment does reflect “recurring feedback” of tightening container availability in the region.
Seasonal trends do not apply in 2026
The European container market is currently not following the usual seasonal trends. This time of the year is traditionally considered a softer period for freight markets, says Sogese. However, the market is showing renewed signs of tightening. This, of course, has to do with the ongoing global trade disruptions.
“Even if current disruptions ease, many of the underlying pressures affecting logistics networks are unlikely to disappear immediately”, CEO Andrea Monti explained. “Operators are increasingly managing a market shaped by rising costs, changing trade patterns and uneven demand across regions.”