AD Ports Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Azerbaijan Transport and Communications Holding (AZCON Holding) to explore strategic collaboration across ports, shipping, logistics, and digital trade solutions in Azerbaijan.
The agreement establishes a framework to assess investment opportunities and advance integrated transport and logistics infrastructure, including maritime and digital capabilities.
The MoU reflects a shared ambition to enhance Azerbaijan’s role as a key transit hub linking East and West, while strengthening trade corridors connecting Central Asia and Europe.
The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group; and Vugar Mirzazada, Deputy Executive Director of AZCON Holding, in the presence of Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State; and Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and other senior officials.
Abdulaziz Zayed AlShamsi Regional CEO AD Ports Group
“Our MoU with AZCON Holding marks a further step in advancing AD Ports Group’s corridor-focused strategy, strengthening trade links between Central Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan’s pivotal position bridging East and West offers strong opportunities; we look forward to leveraging our integrated capabilities across ports, maritime, logistics, and digital solutions to enable more efficient, connected, and commercially attractive trade routes.”
Vugar Mirzazada stated that, “This MoU with AD Ports Group marks an important step in exploring opportunities that can further strengthen Azerbaijan’s transport, trade, and maritime ecosystem. As Azerbaijan continues to enhance its role as a strategic link between East and West, cooperation across port development, shipbuilding, logistics, digital integration, and multimodal connectivity can contribute to the long-term growth and competitiveness of the national economy.
The agreement comes shortly after the entry into force of the UAE-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on 15 April 2026.
The CEPA is expected to accelerate bilateral trade, enhance market access, and create new investment opportunities by reducing tariffs and strengthening private-sector collaboration.
Trade between the two countries has already shown strong growth, with UAE non-oil trade with Azerbaijan rising by 31.4 percent over the past two years to exceed $2.2 billion in 2025.
The MoU complements AD Ports Group’s broader focus on Central Asia, where the group is investing in logistics, port terminals, and shipping assets to strengthen connectivity along the Middle Corridor and support the movement of trade between Asia and Europe.
