Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway (BTK): the rail backbone of the Middle Corridor
The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway (BTK) is the missing link that joined Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey by rail — and through it, the Caspian to Europe. It is the overland backbone of the Middle Corridor. Using open sources, we break down the route, capacity, upgrade and development prospects of BTK — and what it means for delivery to Ukraine.
What BTK is
The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway opened in 2017 and connected the former Soviet rail network with the Turkish (European) railways. The route runs Baku (Alat) → Tbilisi → Akhalkalaki → Kars (Turkey) and on to Istanbul and the EU. BTK is a key overland link of the Middle Corridor.
Capacity and the 2024 upgrade
Key BTK figures (from open sources):
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Opened | 2017 |
| Georgian section | 184 km |
| Capacity before / after | 1 → 5 mln tonnes/year (×5) |
| Current corridor flow | ~6–8 mln tonnes/year |
| Plans | up to 17 mln tonnes and 3 mln passengers |
In 2024 the 184-km Georgian section was modernised: track reconstruction, 55 bridges, 13 stations — capacity rose fivefold, from 1 to 5 million tonnes a year.
The gauge change at Kars
At Kars the 1,520 mm (post-Soviet) and 1,435 mm (European) gauges meet — cargo is moved to other wagons or the bogies are swapped. This is a planned technical operation, not a delay.
BTK and the Middle Corridor
BTK is the overland leg of the corridor: cargo from the Caspian travels by rail through Georgia to Turkey and Europe, while the Georgian ports carry it onto the Black Sea and on to Ukraine. See Middle Corridor — explained, The Caspian crossing and Port of Poti.
Development prospects
BTK has strong growth potential. Today the corridor moves about 6–8 million tonnes a year, with plans to reach 17 million tonnes and up to 3 million passengers. BTK connects to the Marmaray tunnel under the Bosphorus, opening a seamless Asia–Europe rail route without ferries. With EU support (the Global Gateway initiative) and the overall growth of the Middle Corridor, BTK volumes will keep rising, while further digitalisation and new connections will cut transit times.
What it means for an importer in Ukraine
For a Ukrainian importer, BTK is part of the infrastructure that strengthens Georgia's role as a transit hub and lowers the cost of the corridor's overland leg. Cargo to Ukraine usually travels via the Georgian ports on the Black Sea, but BTK's growth reinforces the whole route bypassing Russia. We arrange delivery along the Middle Corridor end-to-end.
Summary
BTK is the rail backbone of the Middle Corridor, with growing capacity and strong prospects. We arrange delivery to Ukraine along the corridor — send a request.
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