The opening of a new multimodal cargo route connecting the Chinese province of Zhejiang with Azerbaijan via Turkmenistan marks an important milestone in the development of international trade and logistics. This route, which has officially become part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, is designed to significantly accelerate the export of Chinese goods to Central Asian and European countries.

Turkmenistan’s geographical location, especially its Turkmenbashi International Seaport, plays a key role in this new corridor. The port, commonly known as the “Sea Gate of Central Asia,” is a vital hub at the crossroads of Central Asian trade routes and serves as a crucial link for trade between Central Asia and Europe. It effectively integrates sea, road and rail routes, confirming its status as the largest transit hub in the region.

A striking example of the success of the new route is the recent freight train journey. On June 18th, 2025, a freight train loaded with 50 forty-foot containers left Zhejiang, China and successfully arrived in the Turkmenbashi International Seaport in July 3rd, 2025. After unloading at Turkmenbashi, the cargo was transported by ships of the Turkmen National Fleet along the Turkmenbashi-Baku route to the Baku International Sea Trade Port in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This established international multimodal corridor not only reduces delivery times but also is expected to increase freight traffic and enhance the quality of logistics services. The opening of this route emphasizes the growing importance of Turkmenistan as a crucial transit hub in the region and contributes to strengthening economic ties between East and West.