Military actions in Ukraine have seriously changed transit cargo logistics from China and Central Asian countries to Europe and back. Previously rapidly developing China-Russia-Belarus-EEC land corridor ceased to function with the sanctions against Russia. Thousands of tons of cargo began to look for new routes bypassing traditional routes.
One of these solutions was the active use of the Trans-Caspian transport route which is increasingly involved in project and container cargo transportation between the EEC and Central Asia countries. The growth of transportation in January-August 2022 amounted to +60% compared to last year. However this route revealed weaknesses. First and most important - this corridor was not ready for such cargo traffic increase. Second - the high cost of a complex intermodal route was not compensated by an acceptable transit speed. Thus, the Azerbaijani railway operator ADY did not have enough rolling stock, which delayed the containers transshipment in the Baku Port. The company has already leased 108 railway platforms and plans to purchase another 300 in 2022. Meanwhile the waiting time for containers during the peak period was up to 85 days. The lack of locomotives in Georgia, outdated infrastructure and inadequate coordination between the railway administrations of Georgia and Azerbaijan have further aggravated the situation. We can also recall the uneven cargo distribution between ports in the Caspian Sea. And this is only part of the identified problems which are still little known to a wide range of cargo owners and freight forwarders in Europe and Asia.
Meanwhile the importance of this transport corridor will increase as countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have been practically cut off from traditional routes passing through the territory of Russia. In addition China and Turkey plan to increase the number of container trains on this route. In this regard we invite you to take part in the I International MIDDLE CORRIDOR LOGISTICS conference which will be held on the 27th of April 2023 in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi.
Ports and railway infrastructure in Georgia and Azerbaijan modernization plans;
Feeder transportation of container cargo in the Caspian and Black Sea current status and prospects
Ro-Ro transportation development on the Black Sea;
The possibilities of land border crossings on the border with China and ports in the Caspian Sea in cargo traffic increase;
The potential of cargo containerization in Central Asian countries;
The role of the Danube and Turkey in Trans-Caspian route transit potential increase;
Port of Turkmenbashi and Turkmenistan railway infrastructure possibilities in cargo flows increase towards Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.
Visit the MIDDLE CORRIDOR LOGISTICS conference and you will be able to get real information about the state and prospects of the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Central Asian Countries-China transport corridor. The conference will be attended by heads of ports, railway operators, shipping companies, container lines and freight forwarding companies in the Caucasus and Caspian region. This event will allow you to establish business ties in a region with a unique transit potential.
The fee includes catering services: 2 coffee breaks, lunch and dinner.
Accommodation is not included.
Business-friendly Tbilisi hotel with meeting facilities, a health club and a restaurant, Holiday Inn® Tbilisi is set close to the central Heroes Square and Tbilisi Train Station that is a 12-minute drive away. The hotel is two minute walk away from Technical University Metro Station and Tbilisi International Airport(TBS) is around 30 minutes' drive away. The largest of the hotel's eight modern event spaces can accommodate up to 250 guests and the hotel's event management team are on hand to assist with organization processes. Tbilisi’s picturesque Old Town, Dzveli Tbilisi is easily accessible by metro or taxi. Guests can stroll along the banks of Mtkvari River and explore the National Botanic Garden of Georgia, 6 km away. Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi on nearby Elia Hill offers city views. At this hotel you can enjoy Free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, health Club with sauna & seasonal outdoor pool, 24-hour business centre, stylish rooms featuring pillow menu for your comfort, and Executive Rooms that offer extra space. Here, kids stay and eat free. After work or sightseeing you can enjoy a relaxing massage or sauna and a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool. Sip a cocktail at the Lounge Bar, then, sample delicious Georgian and international dishes made with fresh, locally sourced produce in Adjara Restaurant.
