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The Baku International Sea Port has recorded a historic milestone, with annual container handling reaching 100,000 TEU for the first time since the port began operations in 2018. The achievement highlights the rapid development of Azerbaijan’s logistics infrastructure and the growing role of the Port of Baku as a key hub along the Middle Corridor.
 

The record performance reflects the effectiveness of the unified transport management system established following the integration of the Port of Baku with Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) under a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on February 25, 2025. Merging seaport operations more closely with the railway network has expedited cargo handling, optimised logistics routes, and improved coordination across transport modes.
 

The launch of the Unified Transit Center at the port in September has further streamlined the operations. The center facilitates interaction between government agencies and freight forwarding companies, creating more flexible operational processes and supporting the sustainable growth of cargo volumes. These measures have directly contributed to the port surpassing the 100,000 TEU threshold.
 

Located at the crossroads of regional trade routes, the Port of Baku occupies a strategically important position on the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. As global supply chains are continuously redesigned, the Middle Corridor has gained prominence as one of the safest, most flexible, and shortest transit routes linking Asia and Europe in both directions. With modern infrastructure, strong technical capabilities, and a highly qualified workforce, the Port of Baku plays a central role in facilitating this connectivity.
 

The milestone is further underscored by the port’s consistent growth in container handling over recent years. Container throughput increased from 40,395 TEU in 2020 to 76,775 TEU in 2024, representing a 90% rise, or nearly a 1.9-fold increase. Exceeding 100,000 TEU this year confirms the efficiency of the port’s container operations and provides grounds for anticipating even higher volumes in the coming year.
 

Overall cargo throughput has also shown steady growth. When the modern port complex in Alat became operational in 2018, the total cargo handled amounted to 3.787 million tonnes. Over the first 11 months of the current year, this figure rose to 7.547 million tonnes, reflecting the port’s expanding capacity and operational effectiveness.
 

As the first port in the region to receive “Green Port” (EcoPort) certification, the Port of Baku conducts operations in line with international environmental standards, ensuring sustainable transport along the Middle Corridor. The sustainable adoption of green and digital logistics solutions, combined with deeper regional integration, is strengthening the port’s ability to increase cargo volumes, expand trade links, and generate added value for the national economy.
 

Azerbaijan’s transit role has also been reinforced by parallel growth in rail operations. During the first 11 months of 2025, ADY handled 350 block trains along the Middle Corridor, representing a 34% increase compared with the same period in 2024. Together, these developments mark the beginning of a new stage in the expansion of Azerbaijan’s logistics system and remodel the country as a strategic bridge between East and West.