Feasibility Study for Contrailer Services between Georgia and Azerbaijan

As part of its support for the development of the Middle Corridor connecting Central Asia and Europe, EBRD commissioned a feasibility study to assess the potential for introducing Contrailer (Rolling Road – “Ro-La”) services between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The study was initiated at the request of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the Ministry of Digital Development and Transportation of Azerbaijan to evaluate the economic and financial viability of the proposed service and determine whether shifting part of long-distance freight transport from road to rail could improve the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of regional logistics.

Georgia and Azerbaijan form a critical part of the rapidly developing Middle Corridor. However, freight transport between the two countries relies predominantly on road transport. To increase the attractiveness of the corridor and encourage a shift from road to rail, the governments of both countries were considering the introduction of Contrailer services. 

The feasibility study aimed to determine the most viable routes, assess market demand, identify terminal locations, evaluate investment requirements, and examine the legal and regulatory conditions necessary for implementation.

Civitta, in partnership with Railistics, carried out a comprehensive feasibility study covering the full technical, commercial and institutional assessment required for introducing Contrailer services between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The assignment covered seven technical workstreams, including:

• Data collection on freight transport, infrastructure and logistics;
• Market and demand analysis;
• Transport cost comparison between road and rail;
• Identification and assessment of terminal locations;
• Conceptual design of pilot terminal facilities and investment estimation;
• Cost-benefit, environmental and social impact assessment;
• Assessment of regulatory and legal requirements for implementation.

Throughout the project, the team worked closely with EBRD, the Ministries of Economy and Transport, Georgian Railways, Azerbaijan Railways, logistics operators and other public and private stakeholders to ensure that technical recommendations reflected operational realities and future transport needs.

The study identified the preferred locations for pilot Contrailer terminals in Georgia and Azerbaijan and demonstrated that the proposed operating model could improve transport efficiency while delivering wider economic, environmental and social benefits.

• The study confirmed the potential for introducing Contrailer services between Georgia and Azerbaijan.
• Strategic planning of terminal infrastructure and operations will be essential for successful implementation.
• The proposed service has the potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of regional freight transport.
• Successful implementation will require coordinated regulatory, operational and investment measures.