TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

The development of the transportation system plays a crucial role for the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Besides the infrastructures of state economy, such as energy, communication, education, and health care, the transport also plays an important role for achieving social, economic, foreign policy and other public priorities by ensuring initial demands of community life.

The dynamic development gained in all spheres of public life in our country in recent years increased significantly the geopolitical significance of our republic. Along with all of these, important tasks such as active participation in socio-economic processes in the global economic space, effective access to foreign markets, and the forming of a competitive national industry have become a necessity. The issues such as globalization, rapid integration and sustainable development etc. which are typical for modern era have also specific importance for our country.

Today, the transport sector has a special place in the rapid and comprehensive development of the country's economy. This sector covers activities in the field of production, distribution and consumption of products and services. This sector has an undeniable role in all economic activities at the same time.

The expansion of economic connections among the countries of the world and the acceleration of integrative processes have confirmed that the transport system is one of the main pillars of the national economy of each country. Researchers who are engaged with clarification of the socio-economic nature of transport services proved that this system is an important condition for large-scale reproduction. From this view,  during the large-scale radical reforms in the economy, it is significant to formulate and implement a policy that takes into account the specifics of transport, its role in economic and social processes. That`s why the sustainable development of the transport system requires a large amount of capital investment, the construction, and reconstruction of a large number of major transport hubs.

Currently, along with all spheres of life in the country, special attention is paid to the systematic and comprehensive development of the road industry. Consequently, today the renewal and modernization of the road industry of our republic are expanding and construction programs aimed at increasing the strength and power of our state, improving the welfare of our people are successfully continuing.

During the last years, all planned infrastructure projects and social programs in Azerbaijan were completed successfully. İn addition, projects such as the reconstruction of the road sector, construction of new roads, an overhaul of existing roads, which are important areas of social infrastructure, have been successfully continued. Numerous overpasses, bridges, tunnels, underpasses, and overpasses were built in the capital and regions.

Currently, Azerbaijan is implementing infrastructure projects to create the North-South and East-West international transport corridors. Work is underway to complete the following important projects to turn Azerbaijan into an international transport hub.

According to the report of the World Economic Forum, in terms of the state of roads, Azerbaijan ranking first in the CIS and has shown the highest result. Azerbaijan is ranked 10th on the Asian continent and 24th among 141 countries (2021).

Currently, in the liberated territories, work is underway to build road infrastructure.

The “Road to Victory” corridor extends from the Hajigabul-Minivan-Zangezur corridor to the city of Shusha that founded on November 16, 2020. The length of the road is 101 kilometers. Zangilan-Horadiz highway which is another important project and has great strategic importance, construction process continues. The total length of this road is 124 kilometers and consists of 4-6 lanes. The construction of the Hadrut-Jabrayil-Shukurbayli highway also started. The beginning of this road starts from Hadrut settlement of Khojavend region and passes through Shukurbayli village and Jabrayil region. The length of the road is 43 kilometers. One of the road infrastructure projects implemented in the liberated areas is the Barda-Agdam highway. This road starts from the city of Barda. The length of this road, called Barda-Agdam, is 44.5 kilometers. One of the road infrastructure projects implemented in the liberated areas is the Khudaferin-Gubadli-Lachin and Khanlig-Gubadli highways.

The length of the Khudaferin-Gubadli-Lachin highway will be 66 kilometers. This road will be separated from the Khanlig settlement and a new 17-kilometer highway will be built in Gubadli. The total length of the designed roads is 83 km.

In addition, the 29-kilometer-long Tartar-Chayli-Sugovushan-Talysh highway was restored.

Railways are one of the important areas of the developed transport system in our country.

Currently, our republic, located in a favorable geographical area, is actively involved in the implementation of all international and regional projects.

In recent years, intensive work has been done to improve the railway transport system in terms of its expansion, modernization, and renewal of the railway with international standards. This process aimed to improve the country`s railway network. Therefore, Azerbaijan's active participation in the implementation of international and regional transport corridors, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars and North-South projects has also been ensured.

Currently, restoration of the railway netwrok in the liberated territories continues.

The 100-kilometer Horadiz-Agband railway will play an important role in accessing the liberated territories. At the same time, this railway will allow for the establishment of a direct railway connection between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the Zangazur corridor.

In addition, the 45-kilometer-long Barda-Agdam railway reconstructing again.

It is impossible to imagine international economic relations without the participation of maritime transport.  Comparing with other roads, maritime transport is the cheapest transport system.

In order to get advantages from maritime transport, investments are being made in a number of countries around the world. The Baku International Sea Trade Port started its operation in 2018. Along with port operations in Azerbaijan and abroad, the modernity and high carrying capacity of ships are some of the important contexts.

Currently, along with the transport fleet, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC includes specialized fleet and ship repair plants. Our transport fleet consists of 51 ships, including 20 tankers, 13 ferries, 15 universal dry cargo ships, 2 Ro-Ro ships, as well as 1 technical ship and 1 floating workshop. The specialized fleet consists of 204 ships.

One of the important areas of the transport system is air transport. In the last years, 7 airports have been built or reconstructed in the country. Currently, there are six international airports (Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Lankaran, Gabala, Zagatala) in the country. Yevlakh airport is a local airport in Azerbaijan. Currently, 3 more airports are planned to build in the liberated territories (Fuzuli, Zangilan and Lachin).