Georgia’s Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili says container traffic on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway increased almost sixfold in 2025 compared to last year.
Kvrivishvili says the full-fledged launch of the BTK railway is an important development not only for Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also for the wider region and Central Asia. She made the remarks at a ceremony marking the official launch of the railway, attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiev, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, and Armenia’s Minister of Transport and Energy Davit Khudatiani.
She says the project reflects Georgia’s strategic partnership approach and long-term state vision, adding that close cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan over the past year helped resolve key issues and ensure the railway’s full operation.
Kvrivishvili says the BTK railway strengthens regional connectivity and economic integration, while improving competitiveness across the corridor.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is a joint strategic project between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Once fully commissioned, its capacity is expected to reach 5 million tons, allowing the region to handle additional cargo flows and strengthen transport connectivity.
The Marabda-Kartsakhi section is 180 kilometers long, including 153 kilometers of rehabilitated and reconstructed track and 27 kilometers of newly built railway meeting European standards. It includes bridges, modern stations, overpasses, traction substations, the Georgia–Turkey border tunnel and the Akhalkalaki international railway station.
Kvrivishvili says the BTK already serves as an important link between Europe, Central Asia and China, adding that growing global demand for secure and predictable transport routes has increased interest in the Middle Corridor and strengthened Georgia’s role in it.
She adds that the railway is part of Georgia’s long-term transport vision alongside the Anaklia deep-water port, the East-West highway and railway modernisation, creating a new transport architecture positioning the country as a key transit hub between Europe and Asia.
