Baku: Romania is increasingly exploring the potential of the Middle Corridor as an alternative trade route, with a focus on leveraging its strategic location via the port of Constanta on the Black Sea. This shift comes amid ongoing geopolitical changes and a concerted effort to diversify trade pathways away from traditional routes through Russia.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is gaining traction as a critical link for Central Asian, Caucasian, and European Union countries. The port of Constanta is positioned as a key hub within this network, acting as a vital connector between maritime and river transport in the expansive Eurasian logistics chain.
Sabrina Valkov, a transport and logistics expert with Delta Shipping Agency, highlighted the strategic importance of Constanta. The port’s infrastructure and location make it a pivotal gateway, linking the Danube River to Central and Eastern Europe. It facilitates a diverse range of cargo, with imports including machinery, consumer goods, and energy resources from Asia and the Middle East, while exports focus on agricultural products, fertilizers, and industrial equipment primarily destined for the EU, Trkiye, and Asian markets.
Valkov emphasized the Middle Corridor’s potential as a resilient alternative to northern routes, noting Delta Shipping’s growing engagement with routes traversing the Caspian Sea via Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Black Sea, including Constanta. Although current volumes are modest, the trend points towards increased demand as infrastructure and coordination along the corridor improve.
The port of Constanta’s integration into the EU’s strategy to develop TITR is central to reducing reliance on northern routes. As a well-integrated part of the European transport network, Constanta offers crucial maritime and inland waterway connections, reinforcing supply chain diversification and European logistics resilience.
Azerbaijan’s investment in modernizing its transport infrastructure, including the Port of Baku, positions it as a key player in trans-Caspian flows. The integration of logistics chains between Azerbaijan and Black Sea ports like Constanta is progressing, with stronger rail-sea connections anticipated to further enhance potential.
Interest from Romanian and European companies in using the route via Azerbaijan for imports from China and Central Asian countries is rising, driven by a need for supply chain diversification. Romanian logistics firms and exporters view Azerbaijan as a strategic transit partner capable of reducing lead times compared to maritime-only routes.
Digitalization is deemed essential for the Middle Corridor’s success. Initiatives such as single electronic consignment notes and integrated cargo-tracking systems are expected to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and foster trust among shippers. The development of “green corridors” with simplified customs and border procedures is also seen as a significant competitive advantage.
Joint logistics platforms and alliances between companies from Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan are considered crucial for strengthening the Middle Corridor. These partnerships are expected to pool resources, standardize services, and create reliable schedules, positioning the corridor as a competitive alternative in Eurasian trade.