BTK railway upgrade boosts Middle Corridor capacity fivefold

The modernized Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway has officially entered service, significantly boosting the capacity of the Middle Corridor and reinforcing its role as a key East-West trade route linking Asia and Europe.

The relaunch ceremony took place at the Akhalkalaki Railway and Logistics Complex in Georgia following the completion of infrastructure upgrades that increased the railway's annual freight capacity from 1 million tons to 5 million tons.

According to an analysis by Ilyas Huseynov published in Daily Sabah, the expansion comes at a critical time as global supply chains seek alternative transport corridors amid geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting traditional trade routes.

The BTK railway, inaugurated in 2017, forms a crucial segment of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Türkiye and Europe.

Modernization works included the rehabilitation of around 184 kilometers of railway infrastructure in Georgia, including upgrades to stations, bridges, substations, rail tracks and energy systems. The improvements are expected to enhance the efficiency, reliability and competitiveness of the corridor.

The project also underscores the growing strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, while supporting increased freight traffic from China, Central Asia and the South Caucasus to European markets.

Huseynov noted that the railway's long-term success will also depend on the adoption of digital logistics solutions, streamlined customs procedures and improved cross-border coordination across the Middle Corridor.

The upgraded BTK railway is increasingly seen as a strategic logistics artery that could reshape trade flows across Eurasia, strengthening connectivity between Asian and European markets while contributing to regional economic integration.

Source:DailySabah