In May 2024, a delegation from the Trieste Port Authority, led by President Zeno D'Agostino, visited the port of Baku with the aim of exploring new possibilities for intercontinental traffic from Azerbaijan to the Giulian port, and subsequently to other European destinations. Currently, the port of Baku is connected to Trieste only for aluminum transport, and the visit intends to expand the collaboration, also within the context of enhancing the Middle Corridor.
The delegation comprised solely institutional representatives, including Paolo Privileggio, CEO and President of Interporto Trieste, and Maurizio Cociancich, CEO of Adriafer. The relationship between the ports of Trieste and Baku is not new: in February 2020, during the Azerbaijan-Italy Business Forum held in Rome, the ports of Baku, Trieste, and Genoa signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation, which is already partially underway. This agreement leverages the strategic positions of the two ports on the trans-Caspian traffic route, a rapidly growing area connecting the Far East to Western Europe, south of Russia.
Azerbaijan aims to position itself as a strategic commercial hub in the traffic between Asia and Europe and has recently established railway connections with Georgia and Turkey. The government is also enhancing the port of Baku with significant investments in the Alat area.