On 10 February 2015 Georgia received its first cargo train from China as part of the joint project between Chinese company Worldwide Energy Logistics Ltd (WELL) and Kedentranservice (operator of logistics terminals based in Kazakhstan).

The project was officially presented by Georgian Railway officials at the Varketili container terminal, where Georgia’s Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President of the Partnership Fund Irakli Kovzanadze and the Ambassadors of China, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan attended. The train was loaded in China on 29 January and was unloaded in Georgia on 6 February. The project’s success was the result of close cooperation between the railways of Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, and China’s Xinjiang Province.

“This is a historical fact. Through the rail shipment between Georgia and China, cargo will be transported smoothly from China to Georgia’s Black Sea ports in a shorter time. Further cargo transportation will be provided to the rest of Europe as well as Mediterranean and Black Sea countries,” Georgian Railway announced.

The Trans-Asian-Caucasian train will reduce transit time fivefold. In the case of sea transport 40 – 45 days are required; however it is now possible to transport cargo by rail in about nine days.

The new train line will facilitate easier transport of cargo from China to Europe through Georgia, which increases Georgia’s importance as a transit country.

The project will allow cargo to be more easily transported between China and Georgia and will contribute an additional inflow of $100-120 million USD to the Georgian economy, announced Georgian Railway officials.

(Source: Georgian Railways)