In 2023, refined petroleum products became the most transported cargo by rail in Kazakhstan, according to the Ministry of Transport. Last year more than 27 million tons of cargo was transported by rail, up 18% from the 23.1 million tons of oil products shipped by rail in 2022, the ministry said.
“Today, cargoes are mainly transported in the [directions of] China, Europe, the Russian Federation, Central Asia. Most of the transported goods are oil products,” the ministry commented.
The ministry also reported that under an agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), railway tariffs for the state railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Joly, for transportation are differentiated by type of cargo. Prices are set by the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies of the Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan based on the national investment program.
According to the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, last year the country produced 89.9 million tons of oil. In January this year, crude oil production amounted to 6.7 million tons, which is 3.2% less than in January 2023.
