Moldova may join the Asia-Europe trade route, highlighting the importance of Giurgiulești port
The Republic of Moldova could become a key link in the Middle Corridor, an international trade route connecting China and Central Asia with Europe while bypassing Russia. The Port of Giurgiulești and the country’s railway infrastructure could play an important role in facilitating the movement of goods between the two regions.
The Republic of Moldova has the potential to become part of the Middle Corridor transport network, thanks to its geographical location and trade ties with Kazakhstan, according to Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Chișinău, Almat Aidarbekov.
“Moldova has certain prospects in this regard, and I believe this is linked not only to its geographical position but also to our trade relations—that is, the relations between Kazakhstan and Moldova. Transport routes passing through Moldova, including the Port of Giurgiulești, can naturally become part of the Middle Corridor,” the diplomat said during the „Dimensiunea diplomatică” (Diplomatic Dimension) program on Moldova 1.
According to the ambassador, the route is already being used to transport materials for the modernization of Moldova’s railway infrastructure. One example is the delivery of approximately 15,000 tonnes of railway rails from Kazakhstan.
“I can give you an example: the Kazakh company Temir Zhol Zhondew, which is currently working on the reconstruction of the Tighina–Basarabeasca–Giurgiulești railway line, brought rails from the city of Aktobe in Kazakhstan. We have a rail manufacturing plant there, and approximately 15,000 tonnes of rails were transported along this Middle Corridor—the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route,” the ambassador explained.
The rails were transported from Aktobe to the port of Aktau, then across the Caspian Sea to Baku, Azerbaijan. From there, they travelled by rail to Batumi, Georgia, before being shipped by sea to Giurgiulești. According to Aidarbekov, this example highlights the potential of the Port of Giurgiulești to open up new trade links between Central Asia and the European Union.
“The Port of Giurgiulești has further development potential. Logistics and transport routes could pass through Giurgiulești toward the European Union. In this regard, the company Temir Zhol Zhondew, through its railway reconstruction work, is helping develop the transport and logistics chain serving the Republic of Moldova. Consequently, Moldova has the potential to become a key link in strengthening connections between Central Asia and Europe,” Almat Aidarbekov said.
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, offers an alternative to trade routes crossing Russia. It begins in China, passes through Kazakhstan and across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, then continues through Georgia. From there, goods can reach Turkey or European markets via the Black Sea.
The route has gained importance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the disruption of traditional supply chains. Its development aims to diversify transport links between Asia and Europe and reduce dependence on routes crossing Russian territory.
