Azerbaijan and China sign MoU on railway transportation

On July 8, Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC (ADY), met with Sun Shuyou, President of the “China Railway” State Corporation, in Beijing. The meeting underscored the vital importance of partnership in the transport and logistics sector, particularly in the context of fostering strategic relations between China and Azerbaijan. It was noted that cooperation between the railway institutions of the two countries covers a wide range, from transit transportation and multimodal solutions to infrastructure development and the digitalization of processes.

The Chairman of ADY noted that the state visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the People’s Republic of China on April 22, 2025, marked an important stage in the development of bilateral relations. One of the key elements of cooperation is the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), which Azerbaijan considers a vital transit link between East and West. Regular shipments along the China–Kazakhstan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Europe route help reduce delivery times and diversify logistics solutions.

It was stated that as a result of effective cooperation, the volume of cargo transported by rail between the two countries increased by 47% in 2024, reaching 612,000 tons. In 2024, 287 block trains were received from China, and in the first six months of this year alone, this figure had already reached 199 block trains. By the end of the year, the number of block trains received is expected to exceed 400.

It was noted that the development of cooperation between ADY and China Railway makes a significant contribution to strengthening transport connectivity across Eurasia and to the development of sustainable logistics chains.

During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC and the “China Railway” State Corporation.

The purpose of signing the memorandum is to further develop and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions in the areas of railway transportation, transit, and the implementation of digital projects.

The document outlines several key directions, including the need to create favorable conditions for freight transportation along international corridors to support regional economic integration, the optimization of management processes, and the improvement of transport efficiency. It also highlights the necessity of applying modern and digital technologies to offer higher-quality services to customers, the strategic importance of developing multimodal transportation along the Middle Corridor and its connection to logistics terminals in China and Azerbaijan, the importance of China’s “China Railway Container Transport Corp. Ltd.” (CRCT) joining the joint venture “Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd.”—established by the railway institutions of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia to advance the Middle Corridor—and the deepening of railway cooperation within the context of the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In addition, within the framework of the visit, ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov met with the Chairman of the Management Board of “Kazakhstan Railways” National Company JSC, Talgat Aldybergenov.

The meeting emphasized the importance of further expanding cooperation in transit transportation between the two countries and strengthening coordinated efforts to ensure the timely delivery of container cargo sent from China to Europe. It was noted that the joint venture “Middle Corridor Multimodal,” established by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, will support the implementation of uninterrupted, reliable, and efficient freight operations along the Middle Corridor.

Additionally, during their business trip to China, the ADY delegation participated in the 12th International Congress on High-Speed Railways held in Beijing on July 8.

At the event titled “High-Speed Rail: Sustainability, Innovation, Prosperity,” discussions focused on the role of high-speed trains in economic and social development, sustainable development, and technological innovations.