Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have signed an agreement that aims to streamline rail operations on the China–Europe Middle Corridor. The document is open for other countries to join.
The signatories hope to boost the efficiency of the trans-Caspian corridor and develop its potential further. As a part of the deal, both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan commit to an undisclosed minimum guaranteed throughput capacity for the corridor. They also commit to tariff stability on the route.
Another key area of cooperation is port logistics. Freight on the Middle Corridor traverses the Caspian Sea, which is a major bottleneck due to the need for transshipment and maritime travel. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan agree on priority servicing of each other’s vessels in their respective ports.
Moreover, the two countries seek to simplify transport procedures by implementing a single transport document for organising rail-maritime transportation. They also want a single logistics operator to provide comprehensive logistics services on a one-stop-shop basis. This seems to refer to Middle Corridor Multimodal, a joint venture between Georgian, Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Chinese railway operators.
Growth on the corridor
Kazakhstan adds that the document pays specific attention to increasing safety and reliability, observing the agreed upon delivery times and strengthening coordination between stakeholders. “The implementation of these measures will improve the reliability of transportation, optimise logistics processes, and ensure more efficient use of the Middle Corridor’s infrastructure capabilities”, the Kazakh transport ministry says.
Other countries can join the agreement. This is supposed to expand international cooperation and further strengthen the role of the Middle Corridor in organising transport between Asia and Europe.
Between January and September 2026, the volume of Middle Corridor freight grew by 30% compared to the same period of 2025. China–Europe container transit increased by 64%.