The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) Corridor, one of the most important components of the Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe, is entering a new phase of development following the completion of modernization works in Georgia.
In early June, one of the most significant railway investments in the Eurasian region entered a new operational phase, following the completion of modernization work on the 180-km Marabda–Kartsakhi section—the part of the railway that crosses Georgia—and the construction of a bogie-changing terminal using state-of-the-art European technology and equipment.
Of the total length, 153 km of existing railway track has been modernized, and a section of over 30 km is a completely new line, built to European gauge, connecting the towns of Akhalkalaki and Kartsakhi in southern Georgia with the border of Turkiye.
Akhalkalaki is the main railway hub of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars project. This is where the transshipment terminal is located, where freight is transferred between the 1,520 mm gauge and the 1,435 mm gauge. Kartsakhi is situated right on the Georgian-Turkiye border, and this is where the new section built for the BTK project begins, connecting to the Turkiye railway network toward Kars.
Modernization work on the Georgian section of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway corridor was carried out in five stages, from Marabda to Kartsakhi, including the development of the logistics and railway complex at Akhalkalaki. As part of the project, 13 stations, 55 bridges, eight traction substations, and over 320 buildings and engineering structures were modernized, while new snow protection facilities, nearly 18 km of catenary, and modern train operation facilities were also constructed.
Following the completion of the works in Georgia, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars corridor was reopened at full capacity, strengthening the role of the Middle Corridor as a strategic alternative for freight transport between Asia and Europe.
The occasion was marked by an official ceremony held in Akhalkalaki, in Georgia, attended by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, and Turkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
Inaugurated in 2017, the BTK line is approximately 829 km long and connects Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Tbilisi and, further on, to Kars in eastern Turkiye. The project was designed to create a direct rail link between the Caspian Sea region and the European rail network, bypassing traditional routes that cross Russia.
Transport capacity increases fivefold
The most significant outcome of the modernization program is the substantial increase in transport capacity. According to the authorities involved in the project, the annual capacity of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars corridor has been increased from approximately one million tons to five million tons of freight.
The work carried out in Georgia included the rehabilitation of over 150 km of railway track, the construction of a new section of approximately 27 km, the modernization of 13 stations, and the construction of dozens of bridges and major energy and infrastructure facilities.
For logistics operators and transport companies, this increase represents more than just an expansion of capacity. It offers greater predictability of freight flows and reduces the risk of bottlenecks at a time when global supply chains are under unprecedented pressure.
In recent years, disruptions on various maritime routes and geopolitical tensions have led many shippers to seek safe and fast alternatives for transport between China, Central Asia, and Europe. In this context, the Middle Corridor has gained increasing strategic importance.
The Middle Corridor, increasingly important for Euro-Asian trade
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, connects China and Central Asia with Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye.
Numerous studies conducted by international financial institutions and transport organizations show that this route has the potential to become one of Eurasia’s main logistics corridors. Compared to maritime transport, transit time can be significantly reduced, and compared to northern routes, there are clear advantages in terms of geopolitical risk diversification.
Within this system, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars corridor represents the essential rail link ensuring the continuity of transport between the Caspian region and the European network. Akhalkalaki also features transshipment facilities between the broad gauge used in the former Soviet space and the standard European gauge, enabling the efficient transfer of goods.
“The success of the Middle Corridor will be determined not only by investments in infrastructure, but also by the quality of services provided, transit times, and user confidence. As a result, it will increase the competitiveness of transport and the logistics chain, not only in terms of capacity but also in terms of operational performance,” said Turkish Minister of Transport Abdulkadir at the inauguration ceremony.
Azerbaijan Strengthens Its Position as a Regional Logistics Hub
For Azerbaijan, the relaunch of the BTK railway at expanded capacity is part of a broader strategy to develop the country’s role as a logistics hub between Asia and Europe.
“The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Corridor project demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye and contributes to expanding the capacities of the Middle Corridor. The new operational phase will strengthen the transport and transit potential of the entire region,” said Azerbaijan’s Minister of Transport, Rashad Nabiyev.
In fact, the development of railway infrastructure is accompanied by investments in the maritime and port sectors. Just one day after the inauguration of the BTK modernization, Azerbaijani authorities announced the start of construction of the first 780 TEU container ship intended for operation on the Caspian Sea. The project, carried out in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, is considered a complementary element for the development of the Middle Corridor and for increasing multimodal transport capacity in the region.
The integration of rail, maritime, and logistics investments indicates that the states involved aim to transform the Middle Corridor into a mature and competitive alternative to traditional routes between Asia and Europe.
In a global context marked by the need for more resilient supply chains, the modernization of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars corridor represents more than just the completion of an infrastructure project. It confirms that Euro-Asian rail transport is entering a new phase, in which operational performance, connectivity, and regional cooperation are becoming decisive factors for the future of international trade.
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