Azerbaijan Railways

Azerbaijan Railways, commonly known by the abbreviation ADY, is the national railway operator of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It operates and maintains the country's principal rail network, provides passenger and freight services, and serves as a central participant in regional transport corridors linking the Caspian Sea with the South Caucasus, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Central Asia and Europe. The company is headquartered in Baku and is wholly owned by the Azerbaijani state. The origins of Azerbaijan's railway system date to the late nineteenth century, when the first line was laid in 1878 and opened in 1880 between the Baku-area settlements of Sabunçu and Suraxanı. Railways expanded rapidly because of Baku's oil industry and the city's position within the Russian Empire. A long-distance line connecting Baku with Tbilisi opened in 1883, while additional construction later connected Azerbaijan with the North Caucasus and other parts of the imperial and Soviet railway systems. By 1900, the Baku network was linked through Biləcəri to Derbent and Petrovsk, now Makhachkala. Connections toward Nakhchivan were developed during the early twentieth century. Azerbaijan also became an early center of railway electrification. The Baku–Sabunçu line was electrified in 1926 using 1.2 kV direct current and is generally described as the first electrically operated railway line in the Soviet Union. Subsequent electrification adopted 3 kV direct current, the principal standard on the modern Azerbaijani network. During the Soviet period, railway operations were conducted as part of Soviet Railways, with Azerbaijani services administered through departments based in Baku, Ganja and Nakhchivan. Following Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, the national railway administration was separated from the Soviet system and reorganized as Azerbaijan State Railways. In 2009, the state established the closed joint-stock company Azerbaijan Railways, or ADY, on the basis of the former state railway. The company became the national railway network operator with 100 percent state capital. Its infrastructure includes a broad-gauge network of approximately 2,918 kilometers using the former Soviet 1,520 mm gauge. The network includes passenger stations, freight facilities, container yards and automated stations such as Biləcəri and Şirvan. ADY's business covers passenger transportation, freight transportation, railway infrastructure management, station operations and participation in international logistics projects. Freight traffic has historically been strongly associated with oil and other bulk commodities moving from Azerbaijan toward Georgian Black Sea ports. The company has also sought to expand container and transit traffic through the Middle Corridor, formally known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which links China and Central Asia with the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and European destinations. Regional connectivity is a major part of ADY's strategic role. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, opened for service in 2017, created a direct rail connection between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey and strengthened the country's position as a transit bridge between Asia and Europe. ADY is also involved in the North–South International Transport Corridor, which is intended to connect India and the Persian Gulf with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and northern Europe. Other corridor initiatives associated with the company include the North-West, South-West and Lapis Lazuli routes. Passenger modernization has included renewal of rolling stock, development of faster services and the launch of a Baku suburban railway connection to Sabunçu in 2019, later extended toward Sumqayit. ADY has ordered new electric locomotives from Alstom and double-deck electric multiple units from Stadler. These projects reflect an effort to replace older Soviet-era rolling stock, improve domestic passenger services and increase the railway's capacity for international f…

Azerbaijan's railway history began under the Russian Empire. Construction of the first line started in 1878, and a short route between Sabunçu and Suraxanı near Baku opened in 1880. The railway was closely connected to the growth of Baku's oil economy and the city's expanding commercial importance. In 1883, a long-distance railway linking Baku with Tbilisi opened, establishing a westward connection across the South Caucasus. In 1900, railways were extended northward through Biləcəri toward Derbent and Petrovsk, now Makhachkala, connecting Azerbaijan with the wider imperial network. The railway system continued to expand in the early twentieth century. A line from Ararat in Armenia toward Şərur and Julfa connected the Nakhchivan exclave with the broader regional network in 1908. Further extensions were built during the Soviet period. The line was extended southward to Ələt and Neftçala in 1924, while routes toward Astara and the Iranian border were developed during the 1940s. A connection through Armenia to Julfa helped link Nakhchivan with Azerbaijan proper, and lines were also extended toward Ağdam and Stepanakert, now Xankəndi. Electrification became an important feature of Azerbaijani railway development. In 1926, the Baku–Sabunçu line adopted 1.2 kV direct-current electric operation, making it an early Soviet electrification project and commonly identified as the first electrically operated railway line in the Soviet Union. Later routes were electrified at 3 kV direct current. During the Soviet era, the Azerbaijani railway was administered by Soviet Railways under the USSR Ministry of Railways. Operations were organized through departments based in Baku, Ganja and Nakhchivan. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the formation of separate national railway systems in the former Soviet republics. Azerbaijan established Azerbaijan State Railways as its national railway administration. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia disrupted several routes. Rail services to Armenia were suspended, and railway infrastructure in areas affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was no longer available for normal Azerbaijani operations. These disruptions changed the geography of the national network and reduced some historic regional connections. In 2009, Azerbaijan reorganized its railway administration as Azerbaijan Railways, a closed joint-stock company with 100 percent state capital. ADY assumed responsibility for national railway operations and infrastructure. Its network retained the 1,520 mm gauge inherited from the Russian and Soviet systems and developed a combination of passenger, freight, station and logistics functions. The railway remained significant for moving oil and other commodities from Azerbaijan toward the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi, while also serving domestic passenger routes between Baku and regional cities. The twenty-first-century modernization program has emphasized new rolling stock, electrification improvements, station upgrades and international transit. ADY ordered Alstom electric freight locomotives and contracted Stadler for double-deck electric multiple units. In 2017, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway opened, connecting Azerbaijan through Georgia with eastern Turkey and creating a new overland route between the Caspian region and Europe. The project also supported the development of the Middle Corridor, in which rail, maritime and road links carry freight between China, Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and European markets. ADY has also participated in the North–South International Transport Corridor, designed to provide a shorter multimodal route between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and northern Europe. Other initiatives have included the North-West corridor between Russia and Turkey, the South-West route connecting the Persian Gulf and Iran with the South Caucasus and Europe, and the Lapis Lazuli route involving Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. These projects position ADY not only as a domestic railway but also as an infrastructure participant in competing Eurasian trade corridors. In domestic passenger transport, ADY launched Baku suburban railway service in 2019, initially connecting the capital with Sabunçu and later extending service toward Sumqayit. The company continues to operate intercity passenger routes and freight services across a network of approximately 2,918 kilometers and 176 stations. Its contemporary development combines public-service obligations, national infrastructure stewardship and commercial ambitions in international freight and transit logistics.

1. 2019Baku suburban railway launches

   Commuter service began between Baku and Sabunçu and was later extended toward Sumqayit.

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2. 2017Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway opens

   The international railway linking Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey entered service.

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3. 2015Rolling-stock modernization orders announced

   ADY contracted Stadler for double-deck electric multiple units and ordered Alstom electric freight locomotives.

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4. 2009Azerbaijan Railways reorganized

   The modern closed joint-stock company ADY was established with wholly state-owned capital.

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5. 1991Azerbaijan State Railways established

   Following independence, Azerbaijan formed its own national railway administration.

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6. 1926Baku–Sabunçu line electrified

   The route began electric operation using 1.2 kV direct current and became an early Soviet electrification milestone.

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7. 1900Northern connection reaches the Russian railway network

   Lines through Biləcəri connected Baku with Derbent and Petrovsk in Dagestan.

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8. 1883Baku–Tbilisi railway opens

   A long-distance railway connected Baku with Tbilisi in Georgia.

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9. 1880First railway line opens

   The Sabunçu–Suraxanı line opened for service near Baku.

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10. 1878First railway line laid near Baku

    Construction began on Azerbaijan's first railway line in the Baku suburban area.

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State-owned national railway and regional Eurasian transit operator

• Domestic passenger railPassenger transportation

  ADY operates intercity passenger trains connecting Baku with regional destinations including Ganja, Yevlakh, Gazakh and other stations on the national network. Services use the country's broad-gauge infrastructure and form the core of ADY's domestic public-transport offering. Fleet modernization has been pursued through faster and newer electric rolling stock intended to improve comfort, reliability and capacity.

• Baku suburban railwayCommuter rail2019

  The Baku suburban railway is a commuter service launched in 2019 to connect the capital with nearby settlements. The initial service linked Baku and Sabunçu, with later expansion toward Sumqayit. It is intended to reduce pressure on road transport and provide a higher-capacity connection between the capital and surrounding urban areas.

• Freight rail transportationFreight transportation

  Freight is a central part of ADY's business and includes oil, bulk commodities, containers and other cargo. Historically, railway freight carried an important share of oil from the Baku area toward Georgia's Black Sea ports. ADY is seeking to increase containerized and transit freight by integrating domestic lines with Caspian shipping and international corridors.

• Baku–Tbilisi–Kars servicesInternational rail corridor2017

  The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars connection provides a rail route from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey. It supports passenger and freight connectivity between the Caspian region and Turkey and is a key physical link in the Middle Corridor. The route uses differing national rail systems and includes gauge-transition arrangements at the connection with Turkey.

• Trans-Caspian International Transport Route servicesIntermodal logistics

  ADY participates in the Middle Corridor, also called the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The route combines rail, maritime and road links to move cargo from China and Central Asia across the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan and onward to Georgia, Turkey and Europe. ADY's role includes rail movement within Azerbaijan and coordination with corridor partners.

• Electric locomotive fleetRailway rolling stock2015

  ADY's fleet-renewal program includes Alstom KZ8A twin-section electric freight locomotives and related AZ8A development work. The locomotives were intended to improve freight-hauling capability and replace older equipment. Their acquisition forms part of the modernization of the railway's electrified broad-gauge network.

• 2017Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway

  Azerbaijan · Georgia · Turkey · Central Asia · Europe

  The railway project connected Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey and was promoted as a strategic Europe–Asia transport link. In Azerbaijan, the existing line was modernized and new rolling stock was introduced or ordered.

  Outcome. The connection opened in 2017 and became a major component of Azerbaijan's international freight and Middle Corridor strategy.

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• 2017Lapis Lazuli transport route

  Afghanistan · Turkmenistan · Azerbaijan · Georgia · Turkey

  A five-country transit agreement was signed to facilitate movement of goods across Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. The initiative covered transport infrastructure, customs procedures and transit security.

  Outcome. The agreement established a framework for improving multimodal freight movements across the participating countries.

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• 2016South-West Transport Corridor

  Azerbaijan · Iran · Georgia · Ukraine · Turkey · Europe · Persian Gulf

  ADY helped promote a corridor linking the Persian Gulf and India through Iran and Azerbaijan toward Georgia, Ukraine, Turkey and Europe. A protocol for developing the route was discussed in Baku in January 2016 among railway and port organizations from participating countries.

  Outcome. The route became one of the international corridor concepts associated with Azerbaijan's strategy of expanding transit and multimodal freight traffic.

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• 2019Launch Baku suburban rail serviceProduct launch

  Baku and its surrounding settlements required higher-capacity commuter connections as the metropolitan area developed.

  What changed. ADY launched suburban railway service connecting Baku with Sabunçu and later extended the service toward Sumqayit.

  Aftermath. The service expanded ADY's role in metropolitan public transportation beyond intercity and freight operations.

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• 2017Expand Azerbaijan's role in Eurasian rail transitStrategy

  Azerbaijan sought to use its location on the Caspian Sea and its existing rail network to capture more trade between Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey and Europe.

  What changed. ADY supported the opening and operation of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway and related corridor initiatives including the Middle Corridor.

  Aftermath. Azerbaijan gained a direct rail connection toward Turkey and a stronger role in international container and transit logistics.

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• 2015Procure new passenger and freight rolling stockProduct launch

  ADY sought to replace aging railway equipment and improve the performance of domestic and international services.

  What changed. The company signed for five Stadler KISS double-deck electric multiple units and ordered 50 Alstom KZ8A twin-section electric freight locomotives.

  Aftermath. The orders formed a visible part of ADY's fleet-renewal and railway-modernization program.

  Alstom locomotive order value. €300 million order (2015)

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• 2009Convert the national railway into Azerbaijan RailwaysStrategy

  After the post-Soviet railway administration operated as Azerbaijan State Railways, the government reorganized the system to create a corporate national operator.

  What changed. Azerbaijan established ADY as a closed joint-stock company with 100 percent state capital and responsibility for the national railway network.

  Aftermath. The new structure became the basis for subsequent infrastructure modernization, rolling-stock procurement and international corridor participation.

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• 2019Baku suburban railway service begins

  A commuter railway linking Baku with Sabunçu began operations and was subsequently extended toward Sumqayit.

  Product launch
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• 2017Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway opens

  The regional railway connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey entered service, strengthening Azerbaijan's role in trans-Caspian and Europe–Asia freight movements.

  Product launch
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• 2015Azerbaijan Railways orders Stadler double-deck electric multiple units

  ADY signed an agreement for five Stadler KISS double-deck electric multiple units, supporting the modernization of Azerbaijani passenger rolling stock.

  Product launch
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• 2015ADY places major Alstom electric locomotive order

  Azerbaijan Railways ordered 50 KZ8A twin-section electric freight locomotives from Alstom as part of a broader fleet-renewal program.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2009Azerbaijan Railways established as a state-owned closed joint-stock company

  Azerbaijan Railways was created on the basis of Azerbaijan State Railways and became the national railway operator with wholly state-owned capital.

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1. Azerbaijan Railways