Discover the Middle Corridor - Your reliable shortcut between Europe & China
With the Middle Corridor, we are introducing a revolutionary intermodal solution that offers unparalleled efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Our direct, efficient rail connection leverages heavy investments and EU funding to upgrade the Trans-Caspian route, providing a seamless link between China and Europe. This innovative approach bypasses traditional routes via land and sea, reducing transit times and ensuring smoother logistics operations.
Discover the Middle Corridor: Game-Changer in Freight Transport
Streamlined efficiency: Experience a logistics solution designed for the modern world. Substancial investments have been committed by European and international financial institutions to triple freight volumes and halve travel time by 2030.
Sustainability at its core: Join us in our commitment to a greener future. By choosing the Middle Corridor, you're not just optimizing your supply chain — you're reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable planet.
Faster than Seafreight: Opting for our transportation solutions means enjoying the advantage of significantly reduced transit times compared to traditional sea routes. By leveraging a combination of rail, sea, and trucking options, we streamline the journey, ensuring your cargo reaches its destination swiftly and efficiently.
From China to Europe
Connected with intermodal solutions, our freight route originating from Xian and Chongqing spans across China, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan into Türkiye, and further extends to major terminals in Europe. This integrated approach allows for versatile and efficient transportation, seamlessly transitioning between different modes of transport to optimize delivery times and minimize costs for our clients.
At a Glance...
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Sustainable: Lower CO2 emissions
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Faster than Seafreight: Reduced transit time
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EU Investments: Leveraging substantial funding for enhanced infrastructure
From China through Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan/Georgia
Main Route: China (Xian, Chongqing) – Kazakhstan – Azerbaijan / Georgia
Transit Time: 15 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
This comprehensive route connects major cities and regions, ensuring efficient and timely transport of goods from China to Azerbaijan and Georgia. With weekly departures from China and expedited FCL-trucking services within Azerbaijan and to Georgia, we provide a seamless, eco-friendly solution for your freight transport needs.
To Türkiye
Route: China (Xian, Chongqing) – Azerbaijan – Turkey (Intermodal Express)
Transit Time from China to Baku: Approximately 15 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
Reloading in Baku from FCL to FTL: 1 Day
FTL-Trucking from Baku to Türkiye: Approximately 5 Days
This meticulously planned route ensures prompt and reliable transport of your goods, with efficient reloading services in Baku to facilitate smooth transition from FCL to FTL. From Baku, our FTL-trucking service delivers your cargo swiftly to its final destination in Türkiye, making us your trusted partner for cross-border freight transportation.
To Europe (Road)
Middle Corridor: China – Azerbaijan - Europe (Intermodal Express)
Transit Time from China to Baku: Approximately 15 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
Reloading in Baku from FCL to FTL: 1 Day
FTL-Trucking from Baku to Europe: Approximately 12-14 Days
This strategically planned route ensures efficient and timely transport of your cargo, with seamless reloading services in Baku to facilitate the transition from FCL to FTL. From Baku, our FTL-trucking service swiftly delivers your goods to various destinations across Europe, making us your reliable partner for international freight transportation.
To Europe (Rail)
Middle Corridor: China – Türkiye - Europe (Rail via Halkali/Tekirdag)
Transit Time from China (Chongqing) to Istanbul: Approximately 27 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
Transfer within Istanbul (Ambarli to Halkali/Tekirdag): 3-5 Days
Departure Frequency from Istanbul: 4 Times per Week
Transit Time from Istanbul to Europe: 7 - 9 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
This intermodal route offers a biweekly departure frequency from Chongqing, ensuring timely and reliable transportation of your goods. Upon arrival in Istanbul, efficient rail services facilitate the final leg of the journey to major terminals across Europe. With swift transit times and frequent departures, we provide a seamless solution for your international freight needs.
To Europe (Sea+Rail)
Middle Corridor: China – Türkiye - Europe (Sea+Rail via Pendik)
Transit Time from China to Istanbul: Approximately 27 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
Transfer within Istanbul (Ambarli to Pendik): 3-5 Days
Departure Frequency from Istanbul: Daily
Transit Time from Istanbul to Europe: 6 - 7 Days (Terminal to Terminal)
This route offers a biweekly departure frequency from Chongqing and daily departures from Istanbul, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to your shipment needs. With efficient trucking services in Istanbul and swift transit times to European terminals, we provide a seamless solution for your freight transportation requirements across multiple regions.
Middle Corridor FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Explore our comprehensive FAQ to gain insights into the Middle Corridor's significance and operation, and discover how it facilitates seamless connectivity and economic growth across regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Middle Corridor: Transportation across the Caspian Sea
1. What is the Middle Corridor?
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), originates from Southeast Asia and China. It traverses Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and extends to European countries.
2. What advantages does the Middle Corridor offer compared to the Trans-Russian transport routes?
Many operators and European companies opt for the Middle Corridor due to concerns such as insurance, ethical considerations, and geopolitical stability.
3. Which countries are covered by the Middle Corridor? (Origin and Destination Pairs)
China – Azerbaijan (Baku)
China – Georgia (via Baku)
China – Türkiye (Istanbul)
China – Europe (via Istanbul)
4. Can the service be extended to origin countries outside of China?
Yes, we do extend our services to origin countries beyond China. Multimodal connections from South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam are also possible. For further information, please reach out to the contacts provided.
5. Which countries and borders are crossed?
The route involves transiting through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, depending on the final destination in Europe.
6. Which mode of transportation is used?
Railfreight, Seafreight & Roadfreight
7. What types of goods can be transported via the Middle Corridor?
All types of goods are allowed for transportation except for dangerous cargoes which are not accepted by Chinese Railways. Specific regulations apply for certain products such as electric vehicles and those with built-in batteries.
8. How is transportation carried out across the Caspian Sea?
Transportation across the Caspian Sea is performed by ferry between the ports of Aktau (Kazakhstan) and Alyat (Azerbaijan).
9. What logistics services does Hellmann Worldwide Logistics offer specifically for the Middle Corridor?
Hellmann provides comprehensive logistics services tailored to customer requirements, including door-to-door, door-to-terminal, and terminal-to-terminal options.
10. How is the safety of the goods guaranteed during transportation?
Goods are convoyed by armed security service on rail to ensure safety throughout the transportation process.
11. What customs and documentation requirements must be observed?
Standard international transportation documents such as commercial invoices and packing lists are required. Additional documentation may be necessary, e.g. phytosanitary certificate.
12. How is the transit time estimated for transportation via the Middle Corridor?
Transit times (terminal to terminal) vary depending on the destination:
China – Azerbaijan: ~ 15 days
China – Georgia: ~ 19 days
China – Türkiye: ~ 27 days
China – Europe: ~ 35 days
Please note that transit times are indicative and subject to possible weather-related delays.
13. Are there any environmental impacts or special considerations?
The use of rail for most of the journey results in lower CO2 emissions compared to air freight or truck deliveries.
14. How will the shipment be tracked during transportation?
Real-time shipment tracking can be arranged through the Hellmann GPS Smart Visibility solution, providing 24/7 monitoring.
15. What flexible options are offered for different cargo volumes and requirements?
Currently, Full Container Load (FCL) services are available, with Less than Container Load (LCL) services under development.
16. Does a regular departure schedule exist?
Regular departures are scheduled weekly from China to Baku (Azerbaijan) and biweekly to Istanbul (Türkiye).