Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have launched the first pilot cargo transportation project using the electronic TIR (e-TIR) system. Kanan Gurbanov, Secretary General of the Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association (ABADA), announced this, as reported by a Trend correspondent from the event.

According to him, within the framework of the project, cargo was delivered from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan via the Caspian Sea, after which it is planned to be sent to Turkmenistan—this stage will be the first electronic TIR shipment between the two countries. Gurbanov believes the pilot project is significant regardless of any potential technical difficulties, as it will allow him to identify and address any shortcomings in the system.

The e-TIR system replaces the paper TIR carnet and expedites international freight transport operations. As ABADA's Secretary General noted, the next step will be the introduction of the e-CMR electronic consignment note, which, he said, will be a significant step for the transportation industry. However, for the system to be fully operational, it requires the integration of all countries along the transport corridor, not just Azerbaijan.

Gurbanov also reported that Azerbaijan is among the leading countries in e-TIR implementation and has already completed the necessary preparatory work. According to him, the exchange of permit forms for international cargo transportation in electronic format is already underway with four countries: Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Carriers can now process and receive forms through their personal accounts, reducing time spent and allowing for the prompt resolution of technical errors at the border.