As a response to customer demand, Maersk developed a solution that provides an alternative and eco-friendly intermodal connection between Asia and Europe, said Maia Parlagashvili, Global Product Manager for Intercontinental Rail at Maersk.
After passing the border of Khorgos between China and Kazakhstan, containers will arrive by rail at the station of Aktau, Kazahkstan, where they will be loaded on a barge to Baku in Azerbaijani.
From there, containers will be railed to APM Terminals Poti, Georgia, where they will be loaded on a feeder vessel to Constanta, Romania. Then the cargo is railed to various destinations across European countries.
Over 90% of this newly launched Middle Corridor rail service is electrified, Parlagashvili added.
Maersk has started developing this new route in March and already in April had the first departure from China serving customers from the lifestyle, automotive and household appliances industries.
“The Corridor has sufficient open capacity, allowing our customers to strengthen their supply chain resilience, by having alternative route to Ocean and Air services,” Parlagashvili explained.