A delegation from Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), part of AZCON Holding, during a business visit to China, held discussions focused on railway modernization, fleet renewal and long-term cooperation. During the visit, ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov held talks with Chen Zhisi, Head of CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd., addressing key priorities including the modernization of Azerbaijan’s locomotive fleet, increasing rolling stock capacity for both freight and passenger services, and broadening bilateral cooperation.
Focus on Freight Capacity and Railway Technology
The discussions examined ways to reinforce ADY’s ability to deliver efficient, reliable, and safe transport services amid rising freight volumes moving through international transport corridors. Alongside operational considerations, both sides reviewed opportunities to deepen collaboration in railway technology and fleet development.
As Azerbaijan’s significance within global transport and logistics networks continues to increase, and as freight traffic along the North–South and East–West corridors assumes greater strategic importance, the need for modern railway infrastructure and rolling stock has become increasingly critical. In response, ADY is placing substantial emphasis on renewing and enlarging its locomotive fleet, with locomotive fleet expansion serving as a key component of efforts to ensure sustainable and secure freight transportation.
New Freight Locomotives Scheduled for Delivery
Under a contract signed last year between ADY and CRRC Ziyang, seven new freight locomotives are expected to be delivered to Azerbaijan in September 2026, supporting Azerbaijan’s locomotive fleet expansion. Discussions between the two sides also covered the procurement of an additional 14 locomotives. During their visit, members of the ADY delegation inspected the final production phase of the seven locomotives and exchanged views on various technical matters.
Once delivered, the AC50 mainline locomotives are expected to be used on freight services operating along international transport corridors crossing Azerbaijan.
Passenger Fleet Enhancement Planned for 2027
In addition to freight fleet development, ADY and CRRC Ziyang signed an agreement covering the purchase of four new mainline passenger locomotives, with procurement scheduled for 2027. The new rolling stock is expected to enhance service quality and improve passenger comfort, particularly on long-distance routes.
Together, these agreements align with ADY’s broader strategy to improve operational efficiency, accommodate growing international freight traffic, and reinforce Azerbaijan’s role as a major transport hub linking Europe and Asia.
