Silk Road Digest | 9 Oct 2026

2026-10-09

TRACECA at the Tashkent Conference

On September 30, the Secretary General of the TRACECA Permanent Secretariat participated in the second national conference on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, held in Tashkent, where discussions focused on developing the corridor's "soft infrastructure" and fostering digital integration. The conference, organized within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative, highlighted the digitalization of transport and trade documents, the harmonization of customs procedures, and the creation of more predictable conditions for international shipments. TRACECA presented ongoing and planned initiatives regarding digital and institutional development, including steps toward transitioning to electronic documentation and strengthening regional digital cooperation.

TRACECA in Moldova

On October 2, in Chisinau, TRACECA Secretary General Jasurbek Choriev met with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea to discuss strengthening cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors. Attention focused on optimizing international freight flows, developing digital solutions, prioritizing the new TRACECA strategy for 2027–2036, and exploring prospects for introducing a unified transit permit as well as special tariff conditions.

Azerbaijan’s Fleet

Azerbaijan is expanding beyond the Caspian Sea and broadening the international operations of its merchant fleet. Vessels belonging to the state-owned company ASCO carry out commercial voyages to destinations in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In 2025, the volume of cargo transported outside the Caspian Sea reached 1.4 million tons. The company is also developing a fleet of Handysize dry cargo vessels and Aframax tankers, marking a shift in Azerbaijan’s role from a regional carrier to an international shipowner and operator.

Azerbaijan’s experience is of interest to Georgia, as the development of maritime potential extends beyond mere port infrastructure. According to UNCTAD data, in 2024, the total tonnage of the Georgian-flagged fleet stood at approximately 9,000 DWT, whereas Azerbaijan’s fleet totaled 1.102 million DWT. This disparity highlights that for Georgia, the priority lies not merely in expanding the fleet, but in developing an integrated ecosystem encompassing ship ownership, international operations, logistics, and maritime services. The country’s ports, transit cargo, seafarers, and private shipowners form the foundation for this development.

Black Sea Region International Conference

The international scientific conference "The Black Sea Region at the Crossroads of Civilizations – V" opened at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU). Organized by BSU’s Niko Berdzenishvili Institute and Ovidius University of Constanța, the two-day event brought together more than 350 researchers and specialists from over ten countries. The conference is dedicated to research on the history and cultural heritage of the Black Sea region, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the deepening of academic dialogue, aiming to strengthen Batumi's role as a regional scientific hub. The event was supported by the National Academies of Sciences of Georgia and Romania, the Ministry of Education and Sports of Adjara, Caucasus International University, and the University of Ostrava.

Poti Port Record

Based on results from the first three quarters of 2026, Poti Sea Port handled a total of 525,211 TEU containers between January and September, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. The port's highest monthly figure for 2026 was recorded in July—65,759 TEU—representing a record volume of containers handled in a single month during the year.

Anaklia Port Rail Connection

The design phase for the 18-kilometer railway section connecting to the Anaklia deep-sea port has been completed, and the tender is scheduled to be announced at the end of October. The World Bank is overseeing the process. This rail link is part of the port's transport infrastructure and is intended to boost Georgia's transit capabilities. The completion of the port's first phase and the arrival of the first vessels are scheduled for 2029.

10 New Trains

Georgian Railway plans to modernize its passenger fleet and is initiating the procurement of 10 additional new trains. The planned changes aim to reduce travel times and introduce new routes, thereby improving rail services and operational capacity.

New Trade Agreements

Negotiations regarding free trade agreements with the Republic of Korea, Serbia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council are currently in an active phase. Upon completion of the process, Georgia will gain access to a market of approximately 120 million people.

Delay of "Ararat" Cargo

For approximately a month, twenty trucks loaded with "Ararat" cognac have been held up on the Russian side of the Upper Lars crossing. Russian authorities have taken product samples for testing, and the company is currently awaiting the results. Due to the delay, the drivers have exhausted funds intended for food and fuel and are reporting financial difficulties. This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Armenian alcoholic products in Russia and declining sales in the market.

Black Sea Cable

According to Galt & Taggart, the Black Sea submarine cable project will enable Georgia to export electricity directly to the European market. The project is scheduled for completion by 2032; in addition to creating new export opportunities, it will help alleviate the issue of electricity generation surpluses.

Poti FIZ Transferred to State Ownership

The Poti Free Industrial Zone has been transferred to the "Georgian Economic Development Corporation," an entity owned by the Ministry of Economy. The change was reflected in the Public Registry on October 1. In 2017, the Chinese company CEFC acquired a 75% stake in the Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) for 24.6 million GEL; however, the committed $150 million investment obligation was not fully met, leading the government to reclaim the controlling stake.

Growth in Air Cargo Volume

During the first nine months of 2026, 33.6 thousand tons of cargo were processed at Georgia's international airports—a 30% increase compared to the same period the previous year and a record high for this timeframe over the last decade. During the same period, the airports served 6.6 million passengers, representing a 2% year-on-year increase.

Middle Corridor Cargo Volume

According to forecasts by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Transport, the volume of cargo transported via the Middle Corridor will reach 5.5 million tons in 2026. The development of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line and the increased throughput capacity of the corridor are cited as key factors driving growth; these developments offer an opportunity to strengthen the transport route connecting Azerbaijan and Central Asia to European markets.

Integration of the Zangezur Route

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed discussing the integration of the Zangezur transport initiative into the "Middle Corridor." He suggests that the matter first be examined at the expert level, a step he believes will help expand the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

 

Sources:
traceca-org.org / transcor.ge / bsu.edu.ge apmterminals.com / gbc.ge / bp.ge / bpn.ge
ka.jnews.ge / businessinsider.ge / bm.ge / commersant.ge