This post is the full English script of the very first episode of my podcast:
Middle Corridor -The Path to Sustainable Development.
In this episode, I explain what the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route ) is, why it has become so important today, and what opportunities it opens up for the region, for Europe, and for investors.
You can also listen to the full episode (in Russian) on
00:00:09
Hello, I’m Irina Birman, and welcome to “The Middle Corridor: Path to Sustainable Development.”
This episode is special: instead of a monologue, I’m in dialogue with my friend Svetlana. She isn’t a logistics professional, which makes her questions direct and relatable. My answers aim to be simple, clear, and illustrated with real examples.
With over 25 years in logistics — from launching container trains to designing multimodal routes — and the past 15 years based in the Netherlands, I’ve seen how Europe built sustainable, resilient supply chains. Today, I’ll share how this experience can help the Middle Corridor.
Rotterdam, NL (Photo by the author, 2023)
00:01:37
When we talk about sustainability in logistics, it’s not just about ecology. In Europe, sustainability is a system that combines ecology, digitalization, and reliability.
Take the Port of Rotterdam. It’s not only a logistics hub but part of the city’s ecosystem: heat from port operations warms local homes and offices. When congestion strikes, cargo is quickly redistributed across terminals, rail, and road — ensuring clients barely notice disruptions. That’s resilience in action.
The Middle Corridor, in contrast, still relies heavily on paperwork and outdated procedures. But that also means opportunity: adopting proven European practices could make it more adaptable and crisis-resistant.
Port of Potterdam, NL (Photo by the author, 2023)
00:03:26
The real secret behind Rotterdam’s success is planning. In the Netherlands, planning is ingrained in culture — children grow up using daily agendas. In logistics, this mindset is powered by technology: Rotterdam uses a digital twin of the port, a virtual copy that simulates scenarios like storms or simultaneous vessel arrivals. This turns crisis management into foresight. The Middle Corridor urgently needs such tools.
00:04:28
Why is the Middle Corridor suddenly strategic? Traditional routes have proven fragile. The Suez Canal is overloaded — one stuck ship in 2021 froze global trade and cost billions. Transit through Russia became risky due to sanctions. Businesses and governments are searching for alternatives, and the Middle Corridor offers exactly that.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Photo by the author, 2023)
Countries are investing: Uzbekistan is building a 30-hectare terminal in Poti; Kazakhstan is managing Batumi port infrastructure via KazTransOil. This is connectivity — states actively shaping the corridor, not just using it.
In Georgia’s Poti port, APM Terminals has introduced full digital operations: clients see cargo status, processing time, and next steps in real time. This efficiency not only accelerates the Middle Corridor but also spurs local development — jobs, business opportunities, better services. Poti shows that global standards can be applied here and now.
Port of Potterdam, NL (Photo by the author, 2025)
One case: a shipment from Rotterdam to Astana. All documents were digital until Poti — where local authorities demanded Russian-language paperwork already submitted electronically. Another: customs in Georgia lacked an HS code for new equipment, forcing manual data entry and causing days of delay. For businesses, even short setbacks mean serious losses.
Infrastructure is also strained. Container flows in Baku nearly doubled in two years, but only two ferries operate across the Caspian. Without new vessels and terminals, the system risks collapse. Encouragingly, countries are responding: in May 2025, Tbilisi opened a new dry port with a capacity of 286,000 containers, connected via rail to Kars. These projects prove targeted investments can significantly strengthen resilience.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Photo by the author, 2023)
Farmers in Kazakhstan can ship apple juice in small, irregular batches. Textile producers in Uzbekistan making eco-friendly clothing can reach Europe directly, without losing profits to intermediaries. Georgian and Azerbaijani construction SMEs, or Central Asian IT startups sending urgent equipment, all benefit from agile logistics.
SMEs move faster than large corporations: they experiment with routes, combine sea and land options, and adopt new digital tools first. Their participation strengthens the corridor by diversifying users — making the system more sustainable overall.
- Digitalization will make all documents electronic and tracking transparent.
- Green corridors will cut carbon footprints, aligning with European standards.
- New infrastructure — such as Georgia’s deep-sea Anaklia port, the Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan rail corridor, and the Zangezur route — will expand options and reduce transit times.
Most importantly, the corridor will embody flexibility: cargo flows will be easily redirected if congestion arises. This is true sustainable mobility.
But beyond logistics, the Middle Corridor will spark regional growth — attracting investment, modernizing agriculture, driving energy projects, and building greener cities. It will be not just a transit route but a platform for economic development.
Thank you for joining me in this conversation. In future episodes, we will dive deeper into green energy, investment opportunities, and how regions along the corridor can turn into growth hubs.
source: 9th Edition Innovation Media
Stay tuned, share your thoughts, and let’s explore together how logistics can become a true driver of change.
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