In a sign of the growing importance of the Middle Corridor to pan-Asian trade, a Trans-Caspian road transport pilot using TIR has been launched by the Presidents of China and Kazakhstan.
President Xi Jinping of China and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan jointly started an important pilot TIR road transport crossing of the Caspian Sea during a special launch ceremony yesterday in Astana. President Xi was on a state visit to Kazakhstan.
In a video link joining the presidential palace in Astana and Chinese trucks at the Kazakh port of Kuryk, the two presidents gave the green light with a collective “go” for the Chinese trucks to board the ship bound for Azerbaijan on the other side of the Caspian Sea.
Chinese haulage companies are operating this special transport pilot, with Chinese licensed trucks and TIR carnets issued in China for the whole journey.
The TIR trucks set off after completing export customs clearance and TIR-related procedures at Zhengzhou, Urumqi and Khorgos, before crossing into Kazakhstan and coming together at the Port of Kuryk to cross the Caspian Sea.
Following the presidential green light, the Chinese TIR convoy is continuing to Azerbaijan and its final destination Türkiye.
TIR speeding east-west trade
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor, is one of the shortest corridors connecting China and Europe.
Beginning in China, the route crosses Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and then into the European Union. It is rapidly becoming the major overland transport corridor joining trade powerhouses on both sides of the Eurasian landmass.
The TIR system is making trade and border transit along the Middle Corridor even faster for exporters and importers, allowing one truck to cross multiple international borders with one TIR carnet, avoiding intermediate inspections, delays and providing an international customs guarantee for multiple countries. IRU manages the TIR system under UN mandate.
In recent years, with close cooperation between IRU and customs, transport ministries, local governments and industry partners in various countries, Chinese haulage firms have continuously opened new routes to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe.
Increasing TIR transports run by Chinese hauliers along this corridor will enhance its smooth operation, helping diversify China-Europe trade corridors and expand trade.
Photos: Official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; IRU