First shipments begin following modernization works on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars line

“Upgrades on the BTK line will boost sales and efficiency”

Altınsoy said:
“The modernization and capacity expansion works on the BTK line, ongoing since May 2023, have now been completed. Although the line experienced a temporary slowdown over the past year, the newly increased capacity will allow significant growth in both our transport operations and sales volume. The fact that our existing corporate customers—as well as the multinational companies in our target portfolio—will now be able to shift more volume to the BTK line is a major advantage. As Pasifik Eurasia, we have completed our first transport. Carrying export cargo belonging to Kazan Soda, our train of 16 containers arrived yesterday (May 24, 2024) at Akhalkalaki, the exchange station in Georgia. The train entered Türkiye after receiving the load from a container train departing from Baku and destined for Mersin Yenice Station.”

Altınsoy noted that this train will be followed by additional services originating from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and China, adding that Pasifik Eurasia expects a significant expansion in export, import and transit transport volumes in the upcoming period.

“We aim to increase our green logistics operations”

Highlighting that Pasifik Eurasia primarily conducts railway container transport and uses road transport only for short-distance pre- and end-haulage, Altınsoy recalled that the company received the Green Logistics Certificate in January 2024 due to its commitment to environmentally sustainable logistics. He added:
“On both the BTK corridor and routes toward Europe, we operate multimodal transport solutions under the intermodal logistics framework. Moving forward, we will continue our combined transport operations by adding rail–sea combinations for project cargo. Our goal is to minimize road use, reduce the carbon footprint and further strengthen our green logistics capabilities.”

Reminding that Pasifik Eurasia has transported 65,000 TEU (1,468,000 tons) on the BTK line and 150,000 TEU (2 million tons) on the Europe line since 2019, Altınsoy continued:

“Pasifik Eurasia conducts two-way international rail transport on the BTK corridor connecting Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China. On the Türkiye–Europe corridor, we operate successfully across Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Poland and France. Türkiye’s geopolitical position makes it both a key transit country and a strategically critical player in global trade and logistics.”

He also highlighted the targets outlined in the 2053 Transport and Logistics Master Plan, noting:

“The national plan emphasizes shifting freight from road-based systems to multimodal (intermodal) rail- and sea-linked transport. Under the environmentally sustainable scenario, the current 5% share of railway freight transport is expected to rise to 11% in 2029, 20% in 2035 and 22% in 2053. Correspondingly, the road transport share—currently 71%—is projected to decrease to 67%, then 57%, while rail and sea modes are expected to gain substantial importance.”