Uzbekistan continues to actively develop its transport infrastructure and increase the volume of cargo transportation through Georgia, leveraging the strategic position of the port of Poti on the Black Sea. Amid global changes in the international transport system and Central Asia’s trade routes, the importance of the Middle Corridor—a network connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey—is growing. This route is becoming an alternative to the Northern Corridor via Russia, making it particularly important in light of sanctions against Moscow and shifts in the geopolitical landscape.
Infrastructure Development and China’s Growing Role
In recent months, the Middle Corridor has gained new momentum due to two significant developments. First, in Georgia, the contentious deep-water port project at Anaklia was handed over to a consortium led by China. This port on the Black Sea, planned near Abkhazia, is an important part of the corridor’s infrastructure. Initially launched in 2014, the project faced political and legal hurdles. In 2023, the Georgian government restarted the project, selecting a Chinese consortium for construction. China’s involvement in the project has raised concerns in Georgia, particularly given the status of China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC), which is on the U.S. sanctions list. Nevertheless, this step highlights the importance of the strategic partnership between Georgia and China within the framework of expanding the Middle Corridor.
Second, China is also involved in another major project at the eastern end of the corridor—the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway. After decades of discussion, this project finally gained momentum in 2023 with an agreement signed by the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. The 523-kilometer railway will connect Western China to Uzbekistan, opening new avenues for goods transit through Central Asia and creating an alternative to Russian routes. China has committed to providing $2.35 billion in financing for the project, further underscoring its role as a key player in the region.
In addition to these large-scale projects, Uzbekistan continues to strengthen its influence in the region by increasing transit volumes through Georgia. In July 2023, the volume of cargo shipped by Uzbekistan through the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi increased by 72% compared to 2021. This demonstrates the growing importance of the Middle Corridor for Uzbekistan’s economy and the need for further infrastructure development. As part of these efforts, Uzbekistan has begun constructing a new logistics terminal in the Poti Free Industrial Zone. This $18 million project is aimed at improving the transportation of goods to Europe and strengthening trade ties through the Black Sea.
Moreover, under a memorandum signed between Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport and Georgia’s Ministry of Economy, agreements were reached for long-term leases of terminals and warehouses in Georgian ports, further solidifying Uzbekistan’s position on this important transit route.
New Achievements for Uzbekistan in the Middle Corridor
A significant milestone in this context occurred on December 16, 2022, when Uzbekistan sent its first container train to Europe via the Middle Corridor. The train, loaded with copper concentrate in 46 wagons and 91 containers, departed from Uzbekistan to the port of Burgas in Bulgaria, covering a distance of over 4,000 kilometers. This shipment was organized in cooperation with international partners from Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in the development of the Middle Corridor.
This transit route, known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is a key alternative to northern routes, connecting China and Europe through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. The route’s capacity ranges from 4.5 million to 27 million tons per year, and since its launch in 2017, it has become an important element of international trade.
Challenges and Prospects for the Middle Corridor
Despite these positive developments, significant challenges remain in the development of the Middle Corridor. First, the infrastructure along the corridor still requires modernization. According to a World Bank report, the volume of cargo passing through the Caspian Sea could reach 11 million tons by 2030, but this will require substantial upgrades to ports and rail networks. Without these improvements, demand for transportation could fall 35% short of the projected figure.
Additionally, there are risks associated with China’s influence over strategic infrastructure projects. Many experts express concern about Central Asian countries’ growing debt obligations to China. Uzbekistan, for example, already owes more than $7 billion to Chinese banks. However, despite these risks, China’s participation remains a key factor in the successful development of the Middle Corridor, especially given the limited alternatives.
On the other hand, the European Union has also shown interest in supporting this transport route. In early 2024, at the EU-Central Asia Forum, €10 billion was allocated to support sustainable transportation in the region. These funds aim to transform the Middle Corridor into a multimodal and efficient route, capable of connecting Europe and Central Asia within 15 days. Nevertheless, Georgia’s decision to hand over the Anaklia port project to Chinese companies has caused some disappointment among European partners, as this move complicates the realization of European ambitions to oversee the corridor.
Conclusion
Uzbekistan and Georgia’s influence on the development of the Middle Corridor continues to grow, but the process faces numerous challenges and requires coordinated efforts. On one hand, projects such as the construction of the Anaklia port and the CKU railway open new prospects for trade and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe. On the other hand, China’s involvement and its growing influence raise concerns about debt obligations and geopolitical consequences. Despite this, Uzbekistan and Georgia are strengthening their positions in the region, taking advantage of the strategic opportunities the Middle Corridor provides, which fosters their integration into global supply chains and expands economic opportunities.