Uzbekistan Eyes Caspian and Black Sea Ports to Break Out of Central Asia

Uzbekistan is pursuing plans to establish logistics hubs on the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas in order to bolster its Middle Corridor trade objectives. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's office announced on September 21 that Uzbek and Georgian officials have signed an agreement to set up warehousing and transport facilities at the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti.

The Uzbek government is also considering involvement in expanding infrastructure at Caspian ports in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, as well as Georgia's Anaklia port, which has faced financing uncertainties and construction delays. These initiatives aim to diversify supply routes for textile, chemical, agricultural, and mining and metallurgical products.

Mirziyoyev's statement highlights the need for financing to fully develop Uzbekistan's trade blueprint, which includes plans to electrify the domestic freight rail network and upgrade airport infrastructure nationwide. The country is also exploring participation in the development of TRIPP, a critical component of the Middle Corridor trade, which would facilitate the movement of goods from Azerbaijan to Turkey through Armenian territory.

Uzbek officials are considering investment in refurbishing a railway section in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave to gain access to Turkish ports in Samsun and Istanbul.

Digitalization of freight transport is another key aspect of Uzbekistan's strategy, as it seeks to reduce transit times and diminish the influence of the shadow economy, which currently accounts for over 42 percent of freight transportation. To achieve these goals, officials plan to establish a unified digital transport system, enhance real-time tracking capabilities for cross-border transit, and create an extensive electronic permit database.

By doing so, Uzbekistan aims to double the volume of transport services and increase service exports to $5.7 billion by 2030.