Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are planning to implement a new project called the “Caspian Bridge,” aimed at improving the efficiency of cargo transportation across the Caspian Sea. The new system will allow railway wagons to be transported by sea without unloading and reloading their cargo.

The issue was discussed during a meeting at the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Alimirzamin Askerov, and AZCON Holding representative Shahin Babayev.

The main feature of the project is the use of ferries as an extension of the railway network. This will allow railway wagons to cross the Caspian Sea together with their cargo, eliminating the need for additional handling. As a result, transportation time is expected to decrease and logistics processes will become more efficient.

At the initial stage, the project aims to transport up to 8 million tonnes of cargo annually. In the future, this figure is expected to increase to 10–12 million tonnes.

As part of the cooperation, Samruk-Kazyna Fund and AZCON Holding signed an agreement on the preparation and implementation of the “Caspian Bridge” project. In addition, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Azerbaijan Railways agreed on the main terms for establishing a joint intermodal cargo terminal at the Port of Alat.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the development of joint terminal networks, expanding cooperation in shipbuilding and locomotive manufacturing, coordinating tariff policies, and reducing cargo delivery times to Europe.

The project is expected to increase the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. This route connects Kazakhstan with Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea and provides further access to European countries.

The new initiative aims to strengthen transport and logistics ties between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan while expanding opportunities for international cargo transportation.