First trial train connecting Baltic Region to Central Asia will depart today.

The preparation for extending Viking Train to Central Asia via Georgia has come to end. The loads of Viking Train running between Baltic Region and Black Sea will now cross Black Sea and transported to Central Asia via Georgia. Four countries, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Ukrain agreed on special tariffs on this corridor. First trial train will depart today from Illichivsk crossing Black Sea, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea and will reach to Kazakhstan.

This corridor may be an alternative to China-Central Asia-Europe connection via Russia. If succeeded, it will also be an important competitor to corridor through Turkey, which is expected to be realized in 2 years after Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and Marmaray projects completed.