Uzbekistan starts sending copper to Europe, bypassing Russia | Popgen Tech

TASHKENT, Dec 19 (Reuters) – Uzbekistan has sent a train loaded with copper to Europe for the first time via a new route bypassing Russia, state-run Uzbekistan Railways said on Monday, as part of the Central Asian country’s plan to maintain trade ties with the European Union.

The train will deliver 46 railcars and 91 units of 20-foot containers of copper concentrate from the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine over 4,000 km (2,485 miles) to Bulgaria, it said in a statement.

The route, known as the Middle Corridor, crosses Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia as well as the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea using train ferries.

Brussels has promoted the Middle Corridor as an alternative to the traditional Northern route for Europe-Asia rail shipments that traverse Russia.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said last month it was ready to invest billions of euros in the development of cargo routes between Europe and Asia bypassing Russia.

Reporting by Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov Writing by Olzhas Auyezov Editing by Louise Heavens

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