Ziya Mammadov

Based on my professional experience in transport and logistics, I have witnessed how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming operational processes and becoming an essential component of modern logistics management.

One practical example is freight documentation. Traditionally, manually entering transport documents into operational databases required considerable time and human effort. During periods of high cargo volumes, this often created bottlenecks in cargo acceptance and processing. Today, AI powered document recognition and automation significantly accelerate these processes, reducing human error while enabling logistics operators to handle larger cargo volumes more efficiently.

The Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emiratesare among the regional leaders in applying AI across transport and logistics. AI is used to optimise port operations by predicting vessel arrivals, planning cargo handling sequences, optimising container storage, and reducing vessel turnaround time. In Saudi Arabia, AI also supports railway freight operations through predictive maintenance, train scheduling optimisation, and dynamic route planning.

AI has also transformed customs and document management through OCR-based technologies, enabling faster document processing, automated data entry and more efficient customs clearance. Meanwhile, AI-powered real-time shipment visibility and route optimisation improve supply chain transparency, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

In my opinion one of the fundamental requirements for reliable international transport corridors is the establishment of early digital information exchange between shippers, carriers, ports, railways, customs authorities, and cargo consignees. AI has the potential to automate this information flow, strengthen coordination, and significantly improve operational efficiency across the entire logistics chain.

For Azerbaijan and the countries participating in the Middle Corridor, wider implementation of AI could bring significant benefits, including:

-Real-time prediction of block train movements -Automated container tracking
-Intelligent resource allocation between ports and railways
- Automated processing and digitalisation of freight documents;
-Early identification of operational bottlenecks
- A unified AI-powered coordination platform connecting all Middle Corridor stakeholders.

I believe Artificial Intelligence will play a strategic role in increasing the competitiveness, resilience, and efficiency of the Middle Corridor further strengthening Azerbaijan's position in the global logistics network.

*Ziya Mammadov - Transport & Logistics Consultant , Railway & Port Operations Expert