Azerbaijan-Georgia rail border clearance time to be cut by half

The time required for border procedures for rail shipments between Azerbaijan and Georgia will be reduced by half.

According to Report, citing Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY), the issue was discussed during a meeting at Boyuk-Kesik station involving the heads of the railway administrations of Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as relevant government agencies.

The sides discussed expanding cooperation in the railway sector, improving the efficiency of international freight and passenger transportation, and reviewed the process of freight train border crossings, factors causing delays, and ways to reduce crossing times.

The meeting also focused on strengthening regional transport links and increasing the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.

One of the key topics was expanding digital solutions and electronic data exchange between ADY and Georgian Railway. The parties also discussed preparations for launching an additional Baku-Tbilisi train service, emphasizing the importance of simplifying border and customs procedures and introducing control processes more efficiently.

A separate working meeting was held on improving freight transportation efficiency between Azerbaijan and Georgia and strengthening the transit potential of the Middle Corridor. The sides agreed to ensure uninterrupted operation of ADY electric locomotives on the Boyuk-Kesik–Tbilisi–Boyuk-Kesik route without separating train formations.

The parties also highlighted the importance of introducing a new approach to eliminate repeated technical inspections of railway wagons. Under the new system, inspections previously carried out at Boyuk-Kesik and Gardabani stations will be conducted only at Boyuk-Kesik station for the Azerbaijan-Georgia direction and at Tbilisi junction station for the Georgia-Azerbaijan direction.

The optimization will allow more flexible border crossing arrangements and halve the transit time for freight trains. The new system has already successfully passed testing.

The initiative is expected to mark a new stage in Azerbaijan-Georgia railway cooperation, improving the competitiveness of freight transportation along the Middle Corridor and reducing transit times.