Azerbaijan sends first batch of SOCAR fuel to Armenia

Azerbaijan has shipped its first batch of A-95 gasoline produced by state oil company SOCAR to Armenia.

The cargo, totalling 1,220 tonnes, was loaded into 22 rail tankers and dispatched by Azerbaijan Railways from Baku’s freight station towards the Boyuk-Kesik station in the Agstafa region. The fuel will then be delivered to Armenia via Georgia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the supplies were purely commercial, while noting outstanding issues related to Georgian Railways tariffs. He said alternative routes could be considered if acceptable tariffs are not introduced.

Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan confirmed that around 20 rail wagons carrying Azerbaijani fuel are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days, adding that pricing is determined by private companies rather than the government.

Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development earlier said the transit of the first batch of Azerbaijani fuel to Armenia was carried out free of charge on a one-off basis.