In October, our CEO Ulf Boll met with two Azerbaijani ministers to discuss how Steinweg can contribute to logistics along the Middle Corridor, or the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). This trade route links China and Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye. The route is gaining importance because global supply chains are looking for reliable alternatives.
Azerbaijan in particular is a key transit country on this route, with ongoing investments in ports, rail and logistics infrastructure. The two meetings covered complementary themes: warehousing and critical minerals on the one hand, port infrastructure and cargo flows on the other.
Warehousing and critical minerals in Azerbaijan
First, Ulf Boll met with Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Together, we explored opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals and logistics, including the development of storage and warehousing infrastructure.
We also exchanged views on joint projects along the Middle Corridor. After all, storage capacity in the right places helps commodities move reliably between producers and markets, and that is where our experience as a terminal operator comes in.
Port infrastructure and new cargo flows via the Middle Corridor
Next, Ulf Boll met with Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In addition, Ogan Sengel, Managing Director of C. Steinweg Levant, and Erman Ersoy, Country Manager of C. Steinweg Caspian, joined the meeting. Marianne de Jong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan, also attended.
Where the first meeting focused on storage, this conversation centred on the transport side of the corridor. We discussed expanding Azerbaijan’s transit and logistics capabilities, modernising port and transport infrastructure, and attracting new cargo flows along the Trans-Caspian route. Finally, we explored opportunities for Steinweg in Azerbaijan.
Steinweg’s role along the Trans-Caspian route
Ultimately, a trade route is only as strong as its ports, terminals and the connections between them. With our worldwide terminal network and our expertise in port operations, storage and handling of commodities, Steinweg can help make the Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe more reliable and efficient.
We thank Minister Jabbarov and Minister Nabiyev for the constructive conversations, and Ambassador Marianne de Jong for her support. We therefore look forward to continuing the dialogue and taking the next steps together.
