Full Breakdown
Full Launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Signals a Boost for the Middle Corridor
6/4/2026, 1:09:27 AM
Launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway
On 2 June 2026, Georgian, Azerbaijani and Turkish officials inaugurated the full operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway at the Akhalkalaki International Railway Station, pressing a symbolic button that shifted the line from a pilot “test mode” (since 2017) to permanent service. The 850-km route, of which 180 km lie in Georgia, is expected to raise annual capacity from 1 million to 5 million tons.
Modernization Overview
First announced in 2007 and opened in October 2017, the Georgian BTK segment has been upgraded. The Marabda–Kartsakhi line now includes 153 km of rebuilt track, a 27-km stretch, four bridges, 15 rehabilitated bridges, 13 stations, 34 overpasses and the Akhalkalaki Railway Station.
Capacity and Traffic
The upgrade lifts Georgian capacity five-fold to 5 million tons annually and allows up to 90 000 containers. Since the pilot launch, over 1.8 million tons have traversed the line; in 2025, container shipments from China and Kazakhstan rose 33 % and total freight volumes were nearly six times the prior year.
Strategic Impact
As a link of the “Middle Corridor,” the BTK offers an alternative to Black Sea routes, diversifying EU-Asian trade. Its expanded capacity should increase cargo flows from China and Central Asia to Europe, strengthening the South Caucasus’s logistics hub role and regional resilience to supply-chain shocks.
Official Statements
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the railway a historic project that exemplifies partnership and boosts Middle Corridor competitiveness. Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili highlighted a 33 % rise in container traffic and a sixfold freight increase, noting it will accommodate cargo and spur development. Azerbaijan’s Rashad Nabiyev and Turkey’s Abdulkadir Uraloglu attended, underscoring commitment formalized in coordination council protocol in Baku.
Verbatim Quotes
- “of historic significance,” calling it “another vivid example of the strategic partnership and exemplary cooperation among Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.” — Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia
- “one of the largest infrastructure projects” implemented in the region. — Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia
- “Today is a clear example that regional cooperation, good-neighbourly relations, and partnership based on shared interests create a strong foundation for peace, stability, and economic progress,” — Mariam Kvrivishvili, Economy Minister of Georgia
- “Cargo volumes along the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line are growing annually. Once the line is fully operational, its capacity will increase to 5 million tons per year. This will allow the region to accommodate additional cargo flows and significantly boost its transport potential. The full launch of this railway section was made possible by the signing of a bilateral coordination council protocol by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Mariam Kvrivishvili, and the Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, Rashad Nabiyev, during the Georgian Prime Minister’s visit to Baku,” — Georgian Ministry of Economy (statement)
Outlook
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey will promote the BTK as a preferred Eurasian freight corridor, attract investment and deepen EU rail integration. Cargo monitoring will guide upgrades, and customs facilitation with tracking will streamline cross-border trade.
