Tianjin launched its first trans-Caspian Central Asia freight train on Jan 19, carrying goods including stainless steel pipes and home appliances to Baku and further expanding international logistics routes linking northern China with Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe.

After leaving China via the Khorgos Port, the train will pass through Kazakhstan's Aktau Port, where the cargo will be transferred to ships to cross the Caspian Sea before continuing by rail to Baku, Azerbaijan. The entire journey covers about 7,000 kilometers.

As a key hub along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, Baku also enables onward distribution of goods to countries such as Turkiye, further strengthening trade links between China and overseas markets.

Railway officials said transport costs are broadly comparable to traditional maritime shipping, while total transit time is reduced to around 20 days — nearly half that of conventional sea routes.

The Tianjin Railway Logistics Center offers one-stop online services through the 95306 freight platform, covering order submission, cargo tracking, and electronic payment. In addition, Tianjin Customs has introduced a direct port-to-yard clearance model, allowing transit cargo to be transferred from port to rail yard within three hours.

In 2025, Tianjin handled 668 China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains, processing about 71,200 twenty-foot equivalent units, up 9.2 percent year-on-year.