1 month from Poti Trans Terminal opening: a detailed look at the new logistics gateway for Azerbaijan and the region
The official inauguration of the Poti Trans Terminal marks a major milestone in regional logistics infrastructure.
This modern terminal, located in the Port of Poti, is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s PTC Holding, and partners from Georgia and Azerbaijan, aimed at strengthening the Middle Corridor – the increasingly important trade route connecting China, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe via the Caspian and Black Seas.
Strategic Investment and International Collaboration
The project was completed in under two years from the signing of the investment agreement, with total funding reaching $31.5 million. The terminal’s design, construction, and technical supervision were led by experts from Azerbaijan and Georgia.
“This terminal is built for the challenges of today’s rapidly changing logistics landscape. The Trans-Caspian route is becoming increasingly relevant for Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, China, and the broader region. This is just the beginning of deeper cooperation in logistics,” said Daniyar Abulgazin, shareholder of PTC Holding.
“We’re not just launching a new terminal — we’re building future-ready infrastructure that is open, resilient, and integrated into global trade. This project aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy for Middle Corridor development,” added Bekmurat Nyzabekov, Chairman of PTC Holding.
The opening ceremony featured the arrival of the first container block train and the ceremonial ringing of a bell to mark the start of operations.
High-Tech, High-Capacity Terminal with Azerbaijani Expertise
The Poti Trans Terminal is a state-of-the-art multimodal hub designed to handle containerized, general, and bulk cargo. The terminal’s design and construction were managed by INNOPRO JSC, in close collaboration with Alliance Multimodal Director Natig Jafarov.
Azerbaijani engineers played a critical role at every stage — from concept to commissioning — contributing innovative solutions and demonstrating high technical expertise in infrastructure planning and engineering.
“We will be the fastest and most multimodal terminal in Georgia. Our cranes handle up to 24 operations per hour — a performance level that meets not only regional but also European standards,” said Operations Director Jani Katamadze.
Spanning 9 hectares, the terminal is equipped with:
- 3.3 km of rail lines (up to 120 railcars),
- Two high-performance gantry cranes (up to 50 container moves per hour),
- Modern reach stackers and forklifts,
- A high cargo platform,
- And comprehensive infrastructure for all types of multimodal cargo.
Initial capacity allows processing 80,000 TEU annually, with scalability up to 200,000 TEU. The terminal’s throughput potential reaches up to 5 million tons per year.
“We expect steady utilization and see strong potential for rapid scaling,” noted Olzhas Arykbai, CEO of Poti Trans Terminal.
Core Services Offered
The terminal provides a wide range of services, including:
- Road, rail, and yard cargo handling operations
- Bonded warehousing and secure storage
- Rail-to-container and container-to-rail transshipment
- Oversized cargo processing
- Formation of shuttle trains along the Poti–Alat–Poti and Poti–Absheron–Poti corridors
Strategic Impact on Azerbaijan and Regional Trade
According to Natig Jafarov, Director of Alliance Multimodal:
“The launch of this terminal directly supports the National Priorities for the Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan until 2030 and the Socio-Economic Development Strategy for 2022–2026.”
The terminal is expected to bring significant benefits to Azerbaijan, Central Asia, and Turkey by:
- Accelerating cargo flows between China and Europe via Azerbaijan
- Reducing transportation costs
- Boosting import/export and transit volumes
- Enhancing the reliability and speed of cargo delivery
Previously, only one container block train arrived daily in Poti from Azerbaijan. Now, the terminal can accommodate up to five such trains per day — drastically improving supply chain efficiency.
As a result, the turnaround time for wagons between Poti and the Port of Baku (Alat) has been cut in half. This is critically important for maintaining consistent and reliable cargo flows.” added Natig Jafarov.
Strengthening the Middle Corridor
The terminal is a key link in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the broader East–West transport corridor, offering:
- Faster container delivery between China and Europe
- Risk reduction due to geopolitical instability on alternative routes
- Seamless integration of maritime, rail, and road transportation
- Improved efficiency for international shippers
- Attraction of foreign investments into regional logistics
“The terminal elevates the flexibility and speed of logistics across the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Cargo arriving in Poti can now be quickly and efficiently redistributed to final destinations,” said Natig Jafarov.
Alliance Multimodal’s Role in Middle Corridor Development
As a member of the TITR International Association, Alliance Multimodal is actively contributing to Middle Corridor expansion. The company provides turnkey logistics services for routes like China–Europe, Central Asia–Azerbaijan, and Turkey–Central Asia.
With regional offices, its own container and vehicle fleet, and operational control across the corridor, the company ensures:
- Daily dispatch of block trains from Poti to Baku (46–50 FEU containers)
- Up to 20 block trains per week from Poti to Central Asia
- Greater delivery reliability and fewer delays
“Alliance Logistics is fully engaged and ready to support logistics across the corridor. Our mission is to be a reliable bridge between Poti and Central Asia,” emphasized Natig Jafarov.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the Poti Trans Terminal is a landmark event for Eurasian logistics. It strengthens the Middle Corridor, enhances trade links between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Central Asia, and Europe, and symbolizes the synergy of international public–private partnerships.
“This terminal contributes to the resilience, sustainability, and timeliness of the Middle Corridor. It’s not just infrastructure — it’s a symbol of economic cooperation between nations,” concluded Samir Mammadov, Head of INNOPRO.
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