The first experimental freight train from Ukraine to Asia bypassing Russia, which was launched on January 15 from the Illichivsk, has already reached the territory of Georgia. Infrastructure Minister Andrii Pyvovarskyi announced this at a cabinet meeting on January 21, BSNews reports.
"It has already arrived at a port in Georgia, and it will next travel towards Azerbaijan. Thank God, there are no technical problems so far," the minister said.
Read more: Through the Sea and the Desert: How the First Train Bypassing Russia was Launched
According to Pyvovarskyi, all the logistical issues will be addressed before the end of the month, and the train will depart in the opposite direction. "Orders have already begun arriving, including orders from truckers to use ferries in the direction of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and China," he added.
As reported, the pilot container train departed from Illichivsk (Odesa region) on the route Ukraine-Georgia-Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-China (via the Caspian and the Black Sea) on 15 January.
This route is a new branch of the Silk Road and an alternative that will allow redirection of cargo flows in an easterly direction, bypassing Russian territory. The new transit route includes ferry services on the Black and Caspian Seas (Illichivsk-Batumi and Alat-Aktau Port) and, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, it should become competitive compared with the traditional overland route.
