The TIR transit system is cutting transport times, opening new trade routes, and boosting the security of operations along the Trans-Caspian corridor.
On the one-year anniversary of the Caspian Sea TIR pilot initiated by the presidents of China and Kazakhstan, public and private sector leaders came together for the ¡°International Symposium on China-Europe Trans-Caspian Direct Express¡±, held by ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵmember GSTIKC in Beijing.
During the event, high-level representatives from Chinese government agencies and transport companies discussed their experiences using TIR along the Trans-Caspian corridor (also known as the Middle Corridor).
Here's what they had to say.
Shandong Provincial Department of Transport:
¡°In 2024, under the guidance and organisation of China¡¯s Ministry of Transport, TIR operators from Shandong province participated in the Trans-Caspian TIR pilot (China-Azerbaijan) and China-T¨¹rkiye Trans-Caspian lithium-ion battery transport under TIR.
¡°Using road-sea transport, shipments reached Europe in approximately ten days, opening new, efficient routes. We have also activated rail-road routes from Shandong via Kashgar to Central Asia, achieving seamless exports without inspections en route.
¡°There are currently 64 TIR operators in Shandong running routes to Belarus, T¨¹rkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Central Asia, and Mongolia.¡±
Jilin Provincial Department of Transport:
"The Trans-Caspian transport pilot launched in 2024 took only ten days from the Khorgos border-crossing port to Tbilisi, Georgia, outperforming the 18- to 24-day average transit time of China-Europe Railway Express routes (excluding the time for cargo consolidation).
¡°Jilin Province has 15 TIR operators and has opened TIR transport routes to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia and beyond, enabling local products like Hongqi vehicles, ginseng, machinery, clothing, and daily necessities to reach global markets.¡±
Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone Management Committee:
¡°The Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone currently has 25 domestic and international TIR companies conducting operations to Central Asia and the Caucasus.
¡°We have successfully completed TIR pilots transporting bulky goods, cold chain products, fresh cut flowers, trucks, etc. In June, we successfully launched our first 9610 cross-border e-commerce goods transport under TIR.
¡°The Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone is committed to collaborating with global partners to write a new chapter in China-Europe transport via the Caspian Sea, injecting fresh vitality into sustainable global logistics.¡±
9610 is a simplified customs declaration procedure for e-commerce goods.
HPF:
¡°The Trans-Caspian corridor is vital for the export of Chinese goods, especially battery-powered products, such as new energy equipment and consumer electronics.
¡°HPF joined ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵas a member this year and became the first company in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to have self-owned TIR vehicles.
¡°We have recently reached a cooperative agreement with relevant parties in Kazakhstan to further improve the efficiency of Trans-Caspian transport, which can shorten the journey for Europe-bound goods from 45-60 days to around 20 days.¡±
New Express International Logistics:
¡°As an emerging China-Europe logistics link, the Trans-Caspian corridor is unlocking new opportunities.
¡°TIR transport via this corridor takes only 20 days to reach European inland cities, compared to over 40 days via traditional sea routes. This reduces the uncertainty caused by long transit times and provides a reliable alternative for transporting cargo.
¡°We are confident in the development of Trans-Caspian transport. We will continue investing in this route and further optimising logistics networks. We look forward to cooperating with more companies to jointly build a more efficient, stable and green Trans-Caspian corridor."
IRU, which manages TIR under a UN mandate, will continue working with its members and partners to enhance knowledge sharing, support Chinese companies in conducting TIR operations, and help advance China-Europe trade.