Against the backdrop of the formation of a global transport agenda influenced by geopolitical shifts, growth in regional trade and the pursuit of sustainability and diversification of logistics routes, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) is showing steady growth.
In 2024, transport volumes along this route increased by approximately 68%, and by 2030, growth is forecast to reach 11 million tonnes. Overall, Central Asia is expected to see a 1.5-fold increase in freight traffic to 90-95 million tonnes between 2026 and 2030.
In this context, Turkmenistan is in a transitional phase in terms of transport sector development, seeking to use its geographical position to strengthen its transit role. Since 2019, investment in transport infrastructure has exceeded $4.6 billion, with road and rail projects and maritime logistics remaining priorities. At the same time, structural constraints remain, including limited access to foreign capital and the need for further integration into regional supply chains. A key multilateral mechanism that could influence the resolution of these issues is the Ashgabat Agreement, which establishes a multimodal corridor between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
