According to Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the new Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line will officially enter service on June 2.

The Ministry reports that the new line is a joint strategic project of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, and plays a significant role in strengthening connectivity between Europe and Asia.

“The new railway route creates additional transit capacity in the region, substantially contributes to the diversification of freight flow routes, and enhances the region’s overall connectivity.

The total length of the Marabda–Kartsakhi railway section is 180 kilometres. As part of the project, 153 kilometres of existing railway were rehabilitated and reconstructed, while 27 kilometres of entirely new railway line, built to European standards, were constructed from scratch.

The volume of freight carried on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line has been growing year on year. Once the line is fully operational, the project’s capacity will rise to five million tonnes per year. This will allow the region to accommodate increased freight volumes and greatly improve its transportation capabilities.

The entry of this railway section into full operation was made possible as a result of the signing of a bilateral coordination council protocol by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, during the Georgian Prime Minister’s visit to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku,” the statement from Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development reads.