ASHGABAT - Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, pressure on transport routes through the Caspian region is increasing. Under these circumstances, Turkmenistan is strengthening its position as a key transit hub in international logistics corridors, according to Trans.ru.
According to the publication, China has intensified its use of the eastern branch of the North-South International Transport Corridor to supply goods to Iran. The route passes through Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. At the same time, some cargo flows previously destined for Europe are being redirected to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
Experts note that this is the second time in recent years that interest in Caspian routes has increased. A similar situation was observed in 2022, when international carriers began actively seeking alternative logistics chains.
Particular attention is currently focused on the eastern branch of the North-South Corridor, which passes through Turkmenistan. According to ORIENT, container traffic through the country increased by 70% from January to April 2026 compared to the previous year.
In the first four months of the year, 19 container trains traveled on the China-Iran route and 25 trains on the Russia-Iran-Russia route on Turkmenistan's railways.
Restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal further contributed to the growing importance of the Caspian corridors, spurring a shift in cargo flows to overland routes through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.
According to Argus Media, in the first quarter of 2026, transit traffic by Chinese freight trains through Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 21, 2026