A second multimodal alternative to the Northern Route and the Middle Corridor: sea from Egypt to Poti port in Georgia, then across the Caucasus by road or rail to a Caspian port, ferry to Aktau or Kuryk, then Kazakh rail to Tashkent.
The route in one sentence
Alexandria (EGALY) → Poti (GEPTI) by reefer feeder ship, then road or rail via Tbilisi → Baku → Caspian ferry to Aktau or Kuryk → Kazakh rail → Tashkent.
The legs
| Leg | Mode | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria → Poti | Reefer feeder ship | 5–8 days |
| Poti → Baku | Road or Georgian rail | 2–4 days |
| Baku → Aktau / Kuryk | Caspian ferry | 18–24 h at sea + variable wait |
| Aktau / Kuryk → Tashkent | Kazakh rail | 6–9 days |
Total door-to-door
Alexandria → Tashkent: 25–40 days.
The wide range reflects two unpredictable variables: sea-feeder frequency into Poti, and Caspian ferry waiting times in Baku.
What it suits
- Ambient and shelf-tolerant product — dates, garlic, onions, potatoes, late-season pomegranate
- Buyers comparing this route with the Middle Corridor (TITR) for cargo-flow flexibility
What it doesn't suit
- Time-critical reefer programmes
- Soft fruit, fresh strawberry, mango — use air freight
Common questions
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How does this route compare to the Middle Corridor (TITR)? Both rely on a Caspian ferry leg with similar wait dynamics. TITR via Mersin and the BTK railway is generally the better choice for ambient FCL out of Mersin; the Poti route is the Black Sea alternative when sea capacity at Mersin is tight. See the Middle Corridor (TITR).
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Is reefer maintained throughout? Sea + rail legs are reefer-capable; the Caspian ferry leg has limited reefer-plug capacity, so reefer slots are booked in advance and pack-out is timed to a known sailing window.
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What documentation is required? Phytosanitary certificate from Egyptian CAPQ, Certificate of Origin, ACID number via Nafeza, Bill of Lading, plus transit documents for Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
For a CIF Tashkent quote on this route, send an RFQ — indicative pricing within 48 working hours.