Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), Georgian Railways and Translogist Intertrans Unigrup have signed a Memorandum on the development of the Europe-Asia-Europe transport corridor through the Port of Constanta and the Port of Batumi.
“At the moment, the real freight transport demand on the Europe-Asia axis requires the establishment of this corridor and it is the best solution to ensure a higher freight flow and increase the efficiency of services. The companies involved in this project are working to elaborate a single tariff strategy and eliminate administrative barriers”, declared the representatives of Translogist Intertrans Unigrup.
In fact, this corridor refers to the Iran-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania railway axis through Tehran-Astara-Poti/Batumi Port, from where freight will be transported to the Port of Constanta. “We want to develop an efficient transport connection between Asia and Europe and the countries involved in this project have the task to create a bridge providing the best connection. We hope to get the implication of the European Union and, maybe, EU investments, to implement an efficient transport service between the two continents. Freight volumes between Europe and China amount to 100 million tonnes per year and are mostly shipped by sea. Freight must travel 12,000 km and the railways have the important advantage of providing a much faster connection than maritime transport. In business, time is money. The Port of Constanta is an important Black Sea Port and, together with Georgian Railways, we want to identify new possibilities of developing the railway transport services”, declared ADY President Gurbanov Javid.
The total freight transport time by railways will be of 11 days on the Tehran- Astara- Poti/Batumi Port- Constanta Port, and from here the goods will be shipped on the pan-European Corridor IV, via Romania, to Western Europe.
“Over the past two years, we have worked intensely with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to create the best conditions for shippers. We have signed conventions that have helped us link Iran’s railway system to that of Azerbaijan. Georgia has a favourable geographical position for the development of the railway system and services. The new freight corridor will enable the supply of railway transport services from Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia, from where, through the Port of Poti, the goods could be shipped by sea on the Black Sea to the Port of Constanta and farther to the West. Moreover, the fact that Iran has sea outlet means that freight could be shipped to and from India. We believe Romania is a strategic partner for the establishment of this corridor”, declared Mamuka Bakhtadze, General Manager of Georgian Railways.
Share on:
