Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

What Trans-Caspian International Transport Route does

Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor or TMTM, is an international association founded in 2013 and operational since February 2017 that coordinates multimodal freight transportation across a corridor spanning China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and onward to Turkey and Europe. The Association functions as a multilateral governance body rather than a commercial operator: it brings together national railway companies, sea ports, and shipping companies as Regular Members, and logistics operators, terminal operators, and international partners as Associate Members, together with a separately governed International Trans-Caspian Transport Consortium (KZT Express, ADY Express, GR Logistics & Terminals) that develops and sells integrated logistics products such as the Nomad Express container train service.

The Association's core offerings include the coordinated corridor itself, standardized container and wagon tariff schedules (effective 2026), Caspian and Black Sea ferry services, the Nomad Express container service, and a digitalization initiative for end-to-end multimodal visibility. Its revenue model is membership-driven: Regular Members pay a $20,000 one-time admission fee plus $70,000 annually, and Associate Members pay $10,000 one-time plus $22,480 annually (50% pro-rated for second-half entries). The go-to-market motion is enterprise- and government-led, executed through bilateral meetings, working groups, general assemblies, and recurring presence at international exhibitions (Transport Logistic Shanghai and Munich, Logitrans Turkiye, TransLogistica Kazakhstan, Silk Road International Expo in Xi'an).

In 2025, the corridor recorded 76,900 TEU of container volume across 433 block trains and reduced transit times to 12-15 days, while transit volume via the Xi'an cooperation surged roughly 20x. The organization is pursuing geographic and product expansion through a 40-hectare intermodal terminal joint venture at Baku Port with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and China, EU program engagement (TCTC with GIZ and Expertise France), and deepening partnerships with Chinese logistics platforms (Chengdu-Chongqing, Jiangsu) and multilateral lenders (World Bank, EBRD, ADB).

Name

Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

Legal name

International Association "Trans-Caspian International Transport Route" (Association of Legal Entities / ОЮЛ)

Website

https://middlecorridor.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) Association coordinates multimodal freight across the Middle Corridor linking China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey to Europe, serving national railways, ports, shipping lines, and logistics operators through membership-based governance and standardized tariffs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multimodal Transport and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Border Intermodal (Customs-in-Transit/Transit Regimes) Forwarding (TLACAEAJ)

Keywords

• Multimodal transport corridor
• Container rail shipping
• Cross-border logistics
• Freight forwarding services
• Transit route coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Astana

HQ country

Kazakhstan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees from Regular Members: Annual membership fees from railway companies, port authorities, and shipping companies that form the core of the association. Regular members include national railway operators, sea ports, and shipping companies from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
2. Membership fees from Associate Members: Annual membership fees from associate members including logistics companies, terminal operators, and other transportation service providers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The International Association 'Trans-Caspian International Transport Route' (TITR/Middle Corridor) coordinates multimodal freight transportation across a corridor connecting China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and onward to Turkey, Ukraine, and European countries. The association provides unified tariffs, container block train services (including the Nomad Express brand), Caspian and Black Sea feeder/ferry services, and digital tracking and coordination for cross-border rail-sea-road shipments between Asia and Europe. Members include national railway operators, port authorities, shipping companies, and logistics providers who collectively deliver transit cargo services along the corridor.

Product overview

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, is an international association that coordinates multimodal freight transportation across a corridor spanning China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and European countries. The organization operates through its core transport corridor, the Nomad Express container service, comprehensive tariff products (container rates, ferry services, wagon cargo tariffs), digitalization solutions, and a member consortium of logistics operators. The association acts as a coordinating body for route participants including national railways, ports, and shipping companies, providing tariff information, scheduling coordination, and operational support for container and cargo shipments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nomad Express: Container service brand created for the Trans-Caspian route, first launched in 2015 with pilot container trains
• International Trans-Caspian Transport Consortium

Products and services

• Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR/Middle Corridor) International multimodal transport corridor connecting China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and European countries. The association coordinates freight transportation between Asia and Europe, providing tariff rates, scheduling, and operational coordination for container and cargo shipments for member companies and cargo owners.
• Nomad Express Container train service operating along the TITR route, facilitating cargo transportation between China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Europe for logistics companies and cargo owners.
• Container Tariff Rates Comprehensive published tariff rates for container transportation through various TITR routes including Black Sea ports to European terminals, Dostyk-Aktau sections, and routes via Baku port. Available to logistics companies, freight forwarders, and cargo owners.
• Wagon Cargo Shipment Tariffs Comprehensive tariff rates for wagon cargo shipments along the TITR route, effective January 1 to December 31, 2026, for cargo owners and shippers requiring non-container freight services.
• Ferry Services (Caspian Sea) Regular ferry service across the Caspian Sea as part of the TITR multimodal transportation chain, connecting Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan ports for cargo and container movements.
• Black Sea Feeder Service (Poti/Batumi – Samsun – Karasu) Feeder shipping service on the Black Sea connecting Georgian ports (Poti/Batumi) with Turkish ports (Samsun/Karasu), providing container transportation services to and from Turkey via TITR when overland routes are unavailable.
• Multimodal Transportation Digitalization Digital solutions for coordinating and tracking multimodal transportation along the TITR route, including digital cargo tracking and information system synchronization among member countries' transport operators and logistics companies.
• International Trans-Caspian Transport Consortium A consortium of logistics operators (KZT Express, ADY Express, GR Logistics & Terminals) focused on developing customer-oriented logistics products, organizing transport in both directions, and attracting cargo traffic to TITR for shippers and cargo owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Container transportation volume reached 76,900 TEU in 2025, representing 36% growth year-over-year
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered important, core and regional.

• Jiangsu International Rail Freight Express Co., Ltd.importantGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2026Meeting held to strengthen partnership with China's leading logistics platform. Jiangsu Province operates 26 international rail routes spanning 26 countries with 80 logistics terminals along Belt and Road routes. Network covers Japan, Korea, Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, with further delivery to European markets via Lianyungang Port (TITR member).
• German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026Working meeting held in Astana to discuss cooperation within the EU program 'Capacity Development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC)'. The program is implemented with financial support from EU, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, aimed at strengthening transport connectivity and harmonizing customs procedures in Central Asia.
• Expertise FranceimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026French public agency for international technical cooperation participating in EU program for Trans-Caspian corridor development. Part of AFD Group and key Team Europe partner under Global Gateway initiative.
• Chengdu International Railway Port Investment and Development Co., Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 December 2024Strategic cooperation framework agreement signed for China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) corridor development and Middle Corridor promotion. Aims to coordinate activities, attract Chinese transit cargo via Middle Corridor to Europe and reverse direction.
• Yuxinou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 December 2024Strategic cooperation framework agreement signed for China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) corridor development. Agreement aims to create favorable conditions for Chinese container cargo transportation via Middle Corridor to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and European countries.
• Kazakhstan Railways JSC, Baku International Sea Port, Xi'an Free Trade PortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024Joint venture established to build intermodal cargo terminal at Baku Port (Alat area). Project covers 40 hectares for developing multimodal freight station infrastructure. Expected to increase container block train volumes on China-Europe-China route, shorten delivery times, and reduce transportation costs.
• Pasifik EurasiaimportantChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Authorized operator of feeder shipping service between Black Sea ports (Poti/Batumi - Samsun/Karasu) due to BTK railway modernization, and authorized container transport operator from Turkish Railways.
• World BankimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution conducting regular visits to TITR headquarters to discuss route capacity increase projects, digitalization, and logistics optimization. Participated in organizing Third Digitalization Workshop of Middle Corridor in Astana in June 2024.
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution maintaining regular dialogue with TITR Association regarding infrastructure development and corridor strengthening initiatives.
• Asian Development BankimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution engaged with TITR Association for corridor development discussions and potential infrastructure investments.
• China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC)importantStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina's largest state-owned consulting company conducting research on China-Europe Railway Express operations and evaluating Middle Corridor potential. Working meeting held in Astana in September 2025.
• KZT ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three consortium members. Key task is developing customer-oriented logistics products, searching for customers for transport organization in both directions to increase rolling stock efficiency, and attracting cargo traffic on TITR.
• Ady ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member handling logistics operations and cargo traffic attraction along the Middle Corridor.
• GR Logistics & TerminalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member providing logistics and terminal services for Middle Corridor transportation.
• NC Maritime Ports Administration SA ConstantaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRomanian partner port providing connectivity to Black Sea and European destinations.
• China Communications and Transportation AssociationimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese association for transport and communications supporting Belt and Road logistics initiatives and coordination with Middle Corridor.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DSV: Global freight forwarder and logistics integrator with deep road, air, and sea cross-border capability between Europe and Central/Asia. Comparable as a competing multinational that can absorb Asia-Europe freight volumes that might otherwise route via TITR.
• Russian Railways (RZD): State-owned national railway operating the competing Trans-Siberian and Northern Corridor routes that TITR is structurally diverting volume from. Comparable as a major incumbent rail operator across the same Asia-Europe geography, though operating assets directly rather than coordinating a multilateral association.
• Maersk Logistics & Services: Global ocean carrier and integrated logistics provider that has expanded into end-to-end Asia-Europe door-to-door multimodal services. Comparable as a global incumbent offering multimodal alternatives that include Caspian/Central Asia cross-border transit.
• DB Cargo: Largest European rail freight operator and a key inland destination/customer for cross-border Eurasian corridors. Comparable as a major rail freight incumbent on the Europe end of the China-Europe transit chain that TITR's volumes feed into.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarder arranging multimodal cross-border shipments between Asia and Europe. Comparable as a third-party logistics provider that shippers can choose over TITR-coordinated rail services for the same Asia-Europe freight flows.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarding division of DHL offering air, ocean, and road/rail cross-border services between Asia and Europe. Comparable as an incumbent intermediary competing for shippers seeking coordinated multimodal Eurasia freight.
• RZD Logistics (RZDL): Logistics arm of Russian Railways organizing container trains and multimodal Eurasia-China services. Comparable as a competitor coordinating cross-border Eurasian rail freight and freight forwarding, directly contesting Middle Corridor volumes.

Direct peers

• International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC): Multilateral corridor coordination initiative spanning Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and India to move freight via multimodal rail-sea-road across the Caspian. Closest functional analogue to TITR as an inter-governmental corridor association organizing cross-border freight rather than operating assets.
• China-Europe Railway Express (CRE / 中欧班列): Umbrella coordination framework for China-origin rail block trains to Europe, including those routing via TITR and via competing northern/southern corridors. Comparable as a coordinating brand/system for cross-border China-Europe rail freight, with overlapping Chinese provincial platforms as members.

Emerging players

• Pasifik Eurasia: Authorized operator of TITR feeder shipping between Black Sea ports (Poti/Batumi–Samsun/Karasu) and a Turkish Railways authorized container operator. Comparable as a smaller, route-specific operator handling a defined leg of the Middle Corridor multimodal chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IATITR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/titr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Trans-Caspian International Transport Route