BTK railway is fully operational

Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have started full-capacity operations on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. The critical line of the Middle Corridor facilitates transport between Europe and China...

Scraper SystemJune 02, 2026, 07:12 PM

Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have launched full-capacity operations on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, which is considered critical for freight and passenger transport between Europe and China. Opened in 2017, the line has been used as an important transit route strengthening the connection between Asia and Europe since then. At the ceremony held in Akhalkalaki, Georgia, Turkey was represented by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. Uraloğlu stated that the transportation vision jointly developed by Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan is critical for the future of the connection between Asia and Europe. The same three countries are also connected through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline. It was emphasized that trade connections between Turkey and the Caucasus were limited before the BTK line became operational. The line starts from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, passes through Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, goes through the rail exchange facilities in Akhalkalaki, and ends in Kars, northeastern Turkey. This structure stands out as one of the most important legs of the Middle Corridor. Uraloğlu noted that the Middle Corridor and the BTK railway are not only regional transportation projects but strategic initiatives shaping the future of global connectivity. It was stated that the line has reduced travel time between China and Europe to approximately 15 days, which is twice as fast as by sea. It was conveyed that trains departing from China pass through the Khorgos Gateway in Kazakhstan, reach the New Port in Baku via the Caspian Sea, and from there are loaded onto the BTK line to continue to Europe. This structure creates a multi-stage logistics chain combining land and sea transportation. The ceremony was also attended by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili, and Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev. Kobakhidze stated that the project demonstrates strong strategic relations among the three countries and has historic significance. Nabiyev expressed that the line marks the beginning of a new era for Eurasian connections. He also explained that on the 184-kilometer section passing through Georgian territory, 13 stations, 55 bridges, 8 traction centers, and more than 320 structures were built and put into service. The Azerbaijani minister said that the work done is not just a repair but a strategic decision aimed at transforming the line into the backbone of the Middle Corridor. Uraloğlu also pointed out that with the completion of infrastructure works on the Georgian section, the line will operate more efficiently and effectively. The BTK line's capacity was stated to be able to carry 1 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo annually. Uraloğlu said that disruptions in critical sea routes increase the fragility of supply chains and international trade networks, thus the strategic importance of land corridors has risen even more. The minister also emphasized that alternative routes alone are not sufficient and that there is a need for high-capacity, reliable, and uninterrupted transportation networks. It was conveyed that the success of the Middle Corridor depends not only on infrastructure investments but also on operational coordination, regular cargo flow, and service reliability.

BTK railway is fully operational

Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have started full-capacity operations on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. The critical line of the Middle Corridor facilitates transport between Europe and China...