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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 22. The institution
of the enterprise council and TRACECA Fund is underneath dialogue, mentioned
Everlasting Consultant (Nationwide Secretary) of the IGC TRACECA in
Azerbaijan Rufat Bayramov, Pattern reviews.
The worldwide program TRACECA, which celebrated its thirtieth
anniversary in 2023, has a strong motion plan for 2024-2026. The
plan is designed to summarize the outcomes of the second long-term
Technique (overlaying the interval of 2016-2026) for the event of
the Europe-South Caucasus-Central Asia transport hall and
create a foundation for additional efficient steps.
Bayramov famous that the matter concerned responding to new world
challenges and growing the attractiveness of the worldwide
hall by bettering the arduous infrastructure (financial entities –
railroads, ports, containers, rolling inventory) and comfortable
infrastructure (authorized and data base, automation points).
He added that there isn’t a doubt concerning the demand for this
hall; the curiosity within the hall shouldn’t be waning, though
its growth goes via varied levels (1993–2016: direct
financing of initiatives by the European Fee; 2016–2026:
self-sufficiency and financing within the type of contributions from
member states).
He additionally talked about that TRACECA’s ranks had been joined by a brand new
member – Turkmenistan – within the fall of 2023, which opens up
prospects for growing cargo visitors and attracting new cargo
from each China and Central Asian nations, which have an enormous
potential for financial development.
“Curiosity in TRACECA has elevated as a result of Russia’s struggle with
Ukraine; our hall and area are extra topical than ever. There
was an enormous surge of exercise on TRACECA in 2019, however it’s fairly
doable to convey it again now. Varied packages and initiatives aimed
at making this route much more aggressive are being labored out for
this goal,” Bayramov famous.
He added that Azerbaijan’s motion plan to extend transit
transportation for 2024–2026 suits into the framework of TRACECA
growth and can give the worldwide hall a further
‘increase’.
“Azerbaijan has a developed infrastructure, and steps have been
outlined to enhance this infrastructure. The nation is built-in
into quite a few worldwide commerce and transportation initiatives. This
is each constructive and important for the event of the whole
Europe-South Caucasus-Central Asia hall,” Bayramov mentioned.
He harassed that it’s useful for the TRACECA member states
that this program helps cooperation with the UN, the World Financial institution
(WB), the Asian Growth Financial institution (ADB), the European Financial institution for
Reconstruction and Growth (EBRD), CAREC, TITR, the
Group of Turkic Talking States, and different entities.
“Globally, 96 % of transportation was carried out by sea;
nonetheless, it takes 30-40 days. TRACECA can hardly compete with sea
freight transportation by way of worth, however by way of time, it
is sort of achievable. Thus, cargo supply from Asia to Europe alongside
our hall underneath preferrred circumstances takes 12-14 days (verified
knowledge). The West understands this, as do Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
(the endpoints of the hall), and they’re taking actual steps to
enhance the efficiency of the hall,” mentioned the TRACECA
consultant.
He named the introduction of digital options to make sure the
passage of cargo, a rise within the container and ferry fleet, and
the event of port infrastructure on the Caspian Sea among the many
priorities for 2024-2026.
“Now we have an idea of the TRACECA digital hall till 2030.
We would like digitalization to cowl all sorts of transport, the work of
shippers, cargo carriers, and all inspection constructions. There are
a number of working teams inside TRACECA. We’re transferring thoughtfully
as we wish to develop an optimum resolution to enhance the effectivity
of our hall,” Bayramov mentioned.
In accordance with Bayramov, contemplating the digitalization course of in
2024, a single common digital consignment be aware between
Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan (CIM/SMGS)
might change into formally operational. The consultants from a specialised
UN program have enormously assisted within the growth of the
consignment.
“The digitalization of the hall will improve
containerization, which sooner or later can transport as much as 600,000
containers per yr (10 instances greater than the present restrict). Many
shippers desire container transportation, and this facet will probably be
taken under consideration within the work for the interval 2024-2026,” he
added.
Touching upon the present yr, he famous that it’s anticipated to
agree on the creation of the TRACECA Enterprise Council by mid-2024,
which can embrace representatives of enterprise, authorities
businesses, cargo carriers, customs, border authorities, and different
contributors within the strategy of cargo transportation.
“The creation of such a council is essential as it’ll
enable for the immediate and well-coordinated decision of present
points and improve the effectivity of TRACECA alongside the whole
size of this hall,” famous Bayramov.
Moreover, discussions are underway among the many 14
taking part nations of this system relating to the creation of
the TRACECA Fund this yr, with the participation of each public
and personal capital.
“The thought is that inside the funds of this fund, precedence
initiatives of a regional nature overlaying a number of hall participant
nations will probably be thought of and chosen. Discussions are ongoing
on how the selections will probably be made, how the work will probably be financed,
and who will probably be a part of the fund’s administration board. These points
could also be agreed upon by mid-2024,” mentioned the TRACECA
consultant.
Crucial process of 2024, in keeping with Bayramov, is the
graduation of precise operations by the Center Hall Multimodal
unified operator firm agreed upon by Georgia, Azerbaijan, and
Kazakhstan in November 2023 – energetic contributors in TRACECA.
“This firm has been registered within the Astana FEZ (Free
Financial Zone) in Kazakhstan. A marketing strategy is being ready for
the operation of the corporate and the event of an optimum
tariff coverage. Hopefully, this unified operator will begin
working within the first half of 2024 and can be capable of
efficiently negotiate with China, whose cargo is of nice curiosity
to TRACECA,” he mentioned.
The TRACECA consultant expressed satisfaction with the
coordination efforts of the working teams of hall participant
nations on customs points, CIM/SMGS (Uniform Guidelines Regarding the
Contract for Worldwide Carriage of Items by Rail/ Settlement on
Worldwide Items Transport by Rail), the Fund, and the Enterprise
Council, which, in his opinion, is the important thing to the success of the
steps deliberate for 2024.
Furthermore, as a part of this program, there may be an understanding of
the significance of integrating the Zangezur hall into it, the
consultant mentioned.
“Throughout the framework of our worldwide program, instantly
after the top of the Second Karabakh struggle, a small evaluation was
performed, the outcomes of which demonstrated that TRACECA as an
worldwide group is within the inclusion of the
Zangezur Hall within the community of its routes,” Bayramov
harassed.
In accordance with Bayramov, the emergence of transport corridors with
the involvement of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan
is necessary each from the standpoint of the event of the
Autonomous Republic itself and from the standpoint of
stimulating cargo transportation and commerce of regional and
worldwide significance.
The everlasting consultant considers that the hall can
give a fantastic impulse to transportation within the Türkiye – Central
Asia and Türkiye – Azerbaijan instructions, within the northern and different
instructions.
In his opinion, Azerbaijan’s dialogue of transport initiatives
with Iran and growing the capability of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway route (one of many official routes of the TRACECA program)
testify to the necessary transit function of the area.
“There isn’t any such factor as too many roads. There’s demand for
the routes being mentioned and applied,” he acknowledged.
Bayramov famous that in 2024 TRACECA will probably be chaired by Iran,
which is vitally taken with growing routes via Azerbaijan
and additional in varied instructions.
“Iran and Russia have reached an settlement that Russia will
contribute to the development of a 160-kilometer-long part of
the Resht (IRI)-Astara (Iran-Azerbaijan border) railroad inside the
framework of an interstate mortgage. This highway could possibly be accomplished in
2027 and can change into an necessary element of the worldwide
North-South hall in addition to the regional transportation
networks,” Bayramov mentioned.
Russia has agreed to offer Iran with a $1.3 billion comfortable mortgage
to construct the Resht-Astara railroad over 4 years on the finish of
2023 (beginning building in 2024).
Bayramov additionally shared his knowledgeable opinion relating to the state of affairs
within the Purple Sea.
“Attributable to issues with the safety of cargo transportation
via the Purple Sea and the Suez Canal, the attractiveness of
different routes and transportation initiatives, together with the
East-West and North-South worldwide transport corridors (ITC)
passing via the territory of Azerbaijan, is rising,” he
mentioned.
He famous that the EU and Asian nations, which beforehand
actively used the route for cargo transit via the Purple Sea and
the Suez Canal, at the moment are learning the chances of diversifying
transport flows.
“Objectively, the state of affairs now’s such that our area and
worldwide transportation corridors in it have gotten extra
related than ever, and I believe that many cargo suppliers and their
recipients will probably be much more energetic in interplay with the
nations taking part within the East-West and North-South initiatives,”
Bayramov mentioned.
In accordance with him, cargoes from India to Europe, bypassing the
Purple Sea, could possibly be extra directed via one of many segments of the
“North-South” worldwide transport hall, whose
implementation would enable for a 50 % discount in supply
time.
“All the mandatory infrastructure is being created in
Azerbaijan. Iran has additionally change into energetic within the building of the
Rasht-Astara railroad (a part of the North-South route) after
receiving ensures from the Russian Federation on financing this
part and has already began particular work. I believe that within the
case of pressured implementation of the North-South undertaking, about 10
million tons of cargo may be transported via it per yr, thus
unloading the route via the Suez Canal,” Bayramov harassed.
Pirate assaults on ships within the Purple Sea and the Gulf of Suez, as
effectively because the unsettled state of affairs within the Center East (in Gaza), have
led to the truth that the Suez Canal, in keeping with Flexport, has
already misplaced 20 % of worldwide visitors.
New tendencies
States taking part within the worldwide TRACECA program are
responding shortly to world local weather necessities, Bayramov
mentioned.
For instance, a semi-trailer transportation initiative was
applied in experimental mode on the TRACECA route to scale back
environmental air pollution throughout freight transportation, which additionally
helped to chop transportation prices. The semi-trailers had been headed
from Poland to the Georgian Poti Sea Port within the Black Sea, then to
the Azerbaijani Alyat Port for additional transport to Central Asia
by way of the Caspian Sea.
“Ferry transportation of a truck with a semi-trailer is sort of
twice as costly as transporting a semi-trailer individually.” The
experimental initiative additionally sought to attenuate air pollution in
nations alongside the freight route. “The pilot undertaking was a hit,
and this mode of transportation will probably be used actively in 2024 and
past,” Bayramov added.
In accordance with Bayramov, one other necessary level in regards to the
compliance of TRACECA member nations with worldwide
environmental norms is the expansion of container transportation.
“As a part of the worldwide ‘Inexperienced Deal’ around the globe,
containerized transportation permits for extra environmentally
pleasant supply of cargo and meals merchandise from producers to
clients,” he mentioned.
In accordance with the nationwide secretary of TRACECA in Azerbaijan,
the talked about two initiatives (transportation of semi-trailers and
transportation of containers) will assist in the conclusion of the
idea of a inexperienced transport hall.
As well as, the Caspian port of Alat within the Azerbaijan Free
Financial Zone (AFEZ) is being developed exactly taking into
account the “inexperienced tendencies.”.
“Azerbaijan Caspian Transport Firm (ASCO) has additionally
strengthened environmental management over ballast water, which
corresponds not solely to Azerbaijan’s environmental obligations however
additionally to world tendencies,” Bayramov added.
Considering the truth that Azerbaijan will host the COP
29 local weather summit in November 2024, Bayramov considers such steps
necessary.
Bayramov additionally spoke concerning the present undertaking of the Caspian
littoral states taking part within the worldwide TRACECA program
– the creation of an optimum vessel for transportation throughout the
Caspian Sea.
“This situation got here up as a result of have to optimize the price of
transportation throughout the water reservoir. Many vessels concerned in
cargo transportation via the Caspian Sea are outdated. There’s
a necessity for brand new vessels that will meet the present circumstances of
work on this basin. Specialists, together with these from ASCO and
related corporations of the Caspian nations, have began
consultations and are making calculations as to what
traits the “optimum vessel” ought to have (size, width,
cargo capability). All sides presents its suggestions. Maybe,
subsequent yr they are going to be summarized, as the development and
operation of such vessels is without doubt one of the topical points to extend
the attractiveness of transportation corridors throughout the Caspian
Sea,” Bayramov mentioned.
At current, as a result of Caspian Sea shoaling, ports can solely
serve light-tonnage vessels (draft no more than 4 meters), and
generally these autos may be loaded solely 70-75 %.
Baku Shipyard takes these realities under consideration and is open to
accepting orders for the development of optimum vessels.
ASCO has the biggest fleet within the Caspian Sea (greater than 50
vessels) and continues to replenish it with vessels for varied
functions.
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