Baku, October 1, 2025
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on organizing cargo transport via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, a move aimed at boosting the route’s speed, stability, and competitiveness.
The agreement was announced by Rovshan Rustamov, chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, in a statement on social media following the 7th International Transport and Logistics Business Forum “New Silk Way” in Kazakhstan.
“The document defines joint steps for developing BTK as a faster, more sustainable and competitive transport line. Our main goals are to create a stable and predictable operating regime, improve conditions for shippers, and increase cargo volumes,” Rustamov said.
Faster Transit Commitments
Under the MoU, delivery times (excluding customs and border clearance) are capped at:
24 hours on the Alat-Boyuk Kesik and Gardabani-Akhalkalaki sections,
48 hours on the Yalama-Boyuk Kesik stretch in Azerbaijan,
60 hours on the Kars-Mersin route in Turkey, and
70 hours on the Kars-Istanbul line.
This framework makes it possible to transport cargo from Alat to Mersin in just 4.5 days, enhancing the corridor’s competitiveness against longer alternative routes.
The BTK railway, inaugurated in 2017, is a key segment of the Middle Corridor connecting Asia and Europe through the South Caucasus.
