Kazakhstan and Bulgaria are exploring the integration of Bulgaria’s Black Sea ports of Burgas and Varna into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITC), a move that could significantly expand the reach of this crucial East-West trade route.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the “Middle Corridor,” has been operational since 2017, connecting China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and ultimately, European countries. This multimodal corridor facilitates containerized cargo transport by rail and sea, primarily utilizing the Caspian Sea for maritime crossings.
Spanning 11,000 kilometers, the route saw a substantial increase in cargo volume last year, reaching 4.5 million tons compared to 2.76 million tons the previous year.
Astana anticipates further growth, projecting an annual freight traffic volume of 10 million tons on the TITR by 2028. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to broaden the Middle Corridor’s geographical scope.
The potential inclusion of Bulgarian ports was a key topic during Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s official visit to Kazakhstan.
“Today, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has become one of the main international highways. We have agreed to consider the inclusion of the Bulgarian ports of Burgas and Varna in this corridor,” stated Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, following talks with Radev.
The discussions culminated in a ceremony where heads of state exchanged signed bilateral documents, including a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria, focusing on the development of the TITR.
Radev expressed optimism about the deepened cooperation. “I am confident that the talks will give new impetus to our cooperation. The signed memorandum on the further development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor is a reflection of our aspirations. It is necessary to make the most of the strategic geographical position of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria on this route, which connects Asia with Europe,” he said.
Later, at the Kazakhstan-Bulgaria Business Forum, Tokayev reiterated the target of 10 million tons per year for the TITR’s capacity, aiming for this to be achieved by 2028.
Previously The Times of Central Asia reported how, during the Astana International Forum, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov highlighted Kazakhstan’s perception of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as a cornerstone of sustainable logistics across Eurasia.
