Rail + ferry
Middle Corridor · Trans-
From China via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and Georgia to Türkiye and Europe.
- Aktau → Baku (Caspian Sea)Sea crossing
- Poti, Batumi, ConstanțaBlack Sea ports
- Türkiye, Balkans, Central EuropeConnections
In short
Middle Corridor · Trans-
The Middle Corridor, officially the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, combines rail legs with a ferry crossing of the Caspian Sea between Aktau and Baku. Via Georgia (Poti, Batumi) and Türkiye it leads to South-East and Central Europe. It is an alternative without transit through Russia and Belarus; additional handovers and timetables are factored into planning.
Strengths
What sets this corridor apart
Routing alternative
Independent of the land route via Russia and Belarus.
South-East Europe & Türkiye
Direct access to Black Sea and Balkan markets.
Central Asia
Links Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries with Europe.
Keep in mind
What to plan for
- 01
More handovers
Transshipments between rail and ferry lengthen the chain.
- 02
Ferry schedules
Transit depends more on vessel connections.
Route Explorer
Your connection. At a glance.
278 routes
Selected route
Dostyk / AlashankouDuisburg
- Transit time
- 25–30 daysterminal to terminal
- Frequency
- Several departures per week
- Service
- Transit Carrier
- Corridor
- Via Trans-Caspian / Middle Corridor
- Border crossing
- Baku
- Equipment
- All common container types
- Scope
- Transit + EU Carrier Service
- Data status
- Planned transit time
Schematically simulated corridor; border crossings, sea connections and operating paths are agreed per shipment. Dostyk / Alashankou is shown as one shared border area.
Request this connectionQuick answers
Frequently asked questions
Which countries does the Middle Corridor cross?
China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, with Black Sea connections to Romania and Bulgaria.