Azerbaijan Railways strengthens cooperation with Chinese companies

Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) Rovshan Rustamov is leading a delegation to China to explore expanded cooperation with Chinese transport and logistics companies.

On July 7, during meetings with Fang Feng, Vice President of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), and Wang Qiaolin, Chairman of the corporation’s Zhuzhou locomotive manufacturing company, Rovshan Rustamov emphasized the importance of renewing and expanding ADY’s locomotive fleet to ensure reliable and secure freight transportation, given Azerbaijan’s growing role in the international transport and logistics chain. He noted the particular significance of deepening cooperation with CRRC in this area.

Discussions included the agreement signed in April of this year for the purchase of 7 new locomotives from China, as well as plans to organize training courses and technical sessions for ADY specialists. The sides also exchanged views on technical solutions, production capabilities, and experience sharing.

In a separate meeting with Wang Gui Chao, the head of Lianyungang Port, it was emphasized that ADY’s cooperation with this port is vital for developing East–West connectivity, especially via the Middle Corridor.

The sides highlighted the upward trend in freight transportation between China and Azerbaijan. In 2024, 287 block trains were received from China, and in the first six months alone, the figure had already reached 199. By the end of the year, this number is expected to exceed 400. In this context, establishing a regular rail service along the Lianyungang–Baku route was identified as a top priority.

ADY representatives noted that the Baku International Sea Port has recently been officially integrated into the company’s structure, enabling more efficient coordination of port-railway operations and allowing for the provision of optimized logistics services to international partners.

The Port of Baku plays a key role in facilitating cargo exchange between Asia and Europe. The port currently has a cargo handling capacity of 15 million tons per year, including 150,000 TEU containers. In the future, this capacity is expected to reach 25 million tons annually, including 500,000 TEU containers.

Wang Gui Chao noted that the Port of Lianyungang handles not only Chinese exports but also goods from Japan and Korea, further expanding the significance and geographic scope of the route. He expressed confidence that cooperation with ADY will strengthen transport links and make the Lianyungang–Baku route more competitive within the Eurasian space.

During the meeting with Yan Bin, President of China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd. (CRCT), ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov stressed the importance of CRCT joining the joint venture “Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.,” which was co-established by the railway organizations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia to develop the Middle Corridor.

It was noted that CRCT’s active participation in the joint venture would enhance regional logistics connectivity, increase the effectiveness of the Middle Corridor, and strengthen the role of the companies involved.

The sides also discussed the potential to increase freight volumes along the Middle Corridor. Key issues included implementing digital solutions to expand container shipments on the China–Azerbaijan–China route, optimizing logistics, agreeing on an action plan to boost shipments in the second half of 2025, and integrating port-railway infrastructure.

The ADY delegation’s visit to China will conclude on July 11.