German firm: Cargo clearance in Azerbaijan is simpler, faster than in Türkiye

Cargo handling and customs clearance in Azerbaijan are currently simpler, more efficient, and of higher quality compared to Türkiye, according to Alexander Schmidt, Managing Director of Germany's CS Conti – Service Internationale Spedition GmbH, Report informs.

Schmidt made the remarks at the "Black Sea–Caspian Freight Forum 2025: Corridors, Cargo, Infrastructure," held in Baku.

He noted that the Middle Corridor has seen significant progress over the past three years: "Thanks to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, the corridor has become fully operational. We primarily rely on rail transport-currently, 80% of our cargo is moved via rail networks."

Schmidt emphasized that one of the company's key routes runs through the Middle Corridor:

"Our shipments travel through Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. I must highlight that, compared to Türkiye, Azerbaijan offers simpler, faster, and higher-quality cargo handling and customs procedures."

The Middle Corridor is an international transport route stretching from China through Kazakhstan, across the Caspian Sea, and via Azerbaijan and Georgia to Europe through Türkiye.

According to official data, cargo volume along the corridor rose by 62% in 2024, reaching 4.5 million tons. In 2025, this figure is expected to grow to 5.2 million tons, with 4.2 million tons passing through the territories of participating countries. Of this, 2.5 million tons will be dry cargo (96,000 TEUs), and 1.7 million tons will be oil.

Forecasts suggest that by 2027, the Middle Corridor"s annual capacity could reach 10 million tons.