Trade Shift: Europe increases trade with Asia, China through the Middle Corridor



Europe and China have found a way to diversify away from US-controlled maritime trade routes and a way to increase trade on the other side of the world via the Eurasian, Trans-Caspian corridor which includes   rail, road, and maritime transport, linking major economic centers across China, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.

Geopoliticalmonitor.com outlines the “Middle Corridor has emerged as the fastest and most direct trade route between China and Europe, reducing distances by approximately 2,500 kilometres compared to the Northern Corridor. Transit times range from ten to fifteen days, significantly improving upon traditional routes, which required anywhere from 15 to 60 days.

“By circumventing Russia, the corridor offers an opportunity to enhance supply chain resilience and mitigate risks associated with trade restrictions.”

Trade volumes have climbed sharply in recent years. Over the first 11 months of 2024, 4.1 million tons of cargo moved through the corridor, representing a 63 per cent year-over-year increase it was noted.

The analysts say the corridor offers is an alternative to Russia’s transit infrastructure, particularly amid Western sanctions against Moscow. The European Union meanwhile is investing in transport with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) being among key financial institutions supporting infrastructure improvements.

The route begins in China, where goods are loaded onto rail freight services originating in industrial hubs like Xi’an, Chongqing, and Urumqi and then transported westward through Kazakhstan by railway network.

Upon reaching the Kazakh Caspian Sea ports of Aktau and Kuryk, cargo is transferred onto maritime vessels that cross the Caspian Sea.

The BTK Railway, which connects Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, is itself a crucial link in rail connectivity, enabling the swift movement of goods into Turkey and beyond into European networks. This railway is expected to increase capacity to 17 million tons by 2034.

 Photo: seaero.co.th

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