Baku: Growth in freight transportation along the Middle Corridor has necessitated the renewal of the locomotive fleet of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY). The new locomotives, purchased from China, will be utilized for freight transportation across international corridors that traverse Azerbaijan, as stated by Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, Head of the Public Relations Division of the Communications Department of ADY, during a press briefing, APA-Economics reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the demand for freight transportation along the Middle Corridor is witnessing a significant surge, particularly with the increasing number of block trains dispatched from China to Azerbaijan. This increase in demand is driving Azerbaijan Railways to enhance, expand, and modernize its locomotive fleet to align with contemporary challenges.

Hajiyev emphasized that the acquisition of new locomotives is not solely a fleet renewal effort but also a strategic response to the escalating demand for transit freight transportation along the corridors passing through Azerbaijan. He highlighted that these modern trains enable the transportation of heavier loads. The new technology allows two locomotives to be coupled and operated by a single crew, effectively doubling the freight capacity compared to a single locomotive over extended distances.