Eurasian Transport Network - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 13

Eurasian Transport Network

EDB Database Reveals How Crucial Central Asian Countries Are To Eurasian Transport Network

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has unveiled the Eurasian Transport Network Observatory, a comprehensive database monitoring infrastructure development across 13 countries in the region: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. As of July 1, 2025, the database includes 325 infrastructure projects both ongoing and planned, with a total estimated investment of $234 billion. Over 51% of these projects are in the road transport sector. Russia accounts for seven of the ten largest infrastructure projects within the network. The Northern Eurasian Corridor is the most capital-intensive, requiring $78 billion, more than one-third of the network’s total projected investment. Central Asia plays a pivotal role, representing over 22% of total investments in the Eurasian Transport Network. The region hosts or plans 90 infrastructure projects valued at approximately $53 billion. Kazakhstan alone accounts for roughly 44% of these initiatives. Nearly two-thirds of Central Asian investments are allocated to highway infrastructure, underscoring the strategic priority placed on enhancing road connectivity to support regional trade and international integration. Top 10 Transport Projects in Central Asia: China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway - $4.7 billion Tashkent-Andijan Toll Highway (Uzbekistan) - $4.3 billion Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche-Makmal-Jalal-Abad Railway (Kyrgyzstan) - $4.1 billion North-South Railway (Tajikistan) - $3.9 billion Center-West Highway (Kazakhstan) - $2.6 billion Ashgabat-Turkmenabat Highway (Turkmenistan) - $2.4 billion Serakhs-Mary-Serkhetabat Highway (Turkmenistan) - $2.2 billion Dostyk-Moyinty Rail Section Modernization (Kazakhstan) - $2 billion Sherkhan-Kunduz-Mazar-i-Sharif-Herat-Turgundi Railway (Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Turkmenistan) - $2 billion Zhezkazgan-Arkalyk-Petropavlovsk Motorway Reconstruction (Kazakhstan) The EDB notes that international development banks and other multilateral institutions are well-positioned to offer both technical and financial support, particularly in landlocked and mountainous countries where infrastructure gaps are most acute.

Eurasian Transport Network

Kazakhstan: The Key Link Connecting China and Europe

China is one of Kazakhstan’s key partners, particularly in the development of its transit potential, with Kazakhstan serving as a strategic gateway for goods moving from China to the Eurasian Economic Union, Central Asia, and the European Union. Today, more than 80% of freight transported by rail between China and Europe transits through Kazakhstan. Railway Connections This year marks the 35th anniversary of the connection between the railways of Kazakhstan and China when the Dostyk-Alashankou crossing became the first international transportation route established in the era of Kazakh independence. For many years, it remained the sole railway connection, until in 2012, a second international border crossing, Altynkol-Khorgos, was opened. Today, freight traffic through these two crossings continues to show consistent and significant growth. Last year, rail freight between the two countries exceeded 32 million tons, which is a historic high. In the first four months of 2025 alone, rail freight volume reached 11.4 million tons, a 13.3% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. According to Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the projected volume between the two countries for 2025 has been preliminarily agreed on at more than 33 million tons. To further increase capacity, Kazakhstan is building a second track on the Dostyk-Moyynty railway segment and constructing a bypass line around Almaty station. Both projects are scheduled for completion this year, which will boost throughput and significantly reduce delivery times for goods moving between Asia and Europe. Additionally, Kazakhstan is currently building the Bakhty-Ayagoz line, which will include the opening of a third border crossing, Bakhty-Chuguchak, which is expected to expand rail capacity with China by an additional 25 million tons. Maritime Development Kazakhstan’s maritime infrastructure on the Caspian Sea is a major focus of development and foreign investment. A key initiative currently underway is the creation of a container hub at the port of Aktau, being developed as a joint venture with the Chinese port of Lianyungang. Construction and installation work is actively in progress. According to the project plan, by the end of this year, the hub will feature a specialized cargo loading complex, a container terminal, and new cargo handling equipment. Once completed, the project is expected to increase container processing capacity from 140,000 TEU to 240,000 TEU, significantly enhancing Kazakhstan’s maritime logistics capabilities. Road Transport In addition to rail and sea, road transport is also a key pillar of Kazakhstan-China transportation cooperation. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, 2.8 million tons of cargo were moved by road for export/import purposes in 2024, a 41% increase from the previous year, whilst transit cargo volumes reached 3.6 million tons, marking a 68% year-on-year rise. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, road cargo volumes jumped by 83%, reaching 822,000 tons. A major driver of this growth is the continued development and operation of the Western Europe–Western China highway corridor. Kazakhstan is also considering the opening of two new border checkpoints to strengthen connectivity between the regions of East Kazakhstan and Almaty...

International transport

Development of a Maritime Fleet in a Landlocked Country

It may come as a surprise to some, but despite being a landlocked country far from any ocean, Kazakhstan is actively developing its maritime fleet. The country recognizes that to play a significant role in maritime transport across the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan must enhance the competitiveness of its commercial fleet, alongside improving coastal infrastructure and services. This initiative not only generates revenue for Kazakh transport companies and contributes to the national budget but also safeguards the country's foreign trade. Kazakhstan has set an ambitious goal to establish a regional transit hub based on its Caspian Sea ports, Aktau and Kuryk. It is attracting major international players to develop its logistics services and integrate Kazakhstan into the global trade and transport network. However, the development of the national commercial fleet is lagging. The shortage of a strong fleet means Kazakhstan struggles to compete with the maritime industries of other Caspian nations. It is no secret that most maritime transport between the ports of Aktau/Kuryk and Baku is currently handled by the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company, one of the largest maritime transport operators in the region. The company owns more than 50 transport vessels and over 110 specialized ships and plans to implement a large-scale investment program to modernize its fleet by 2029. Meanwhile, according to Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics, 263 maritime vessels are registered in the country. However, more than 70% of these vessels are over 25 years old. The aging fleet and weak presence in the maritime transport market prevent Kazakhstan from increasing its share in global supply chains, meaning most of the profits from freight transport go to foreign carriers. The longstanding principle discussed in Kazakhstan’s transport sector — “Our Cargo – Our Port – Our Fleet”— could enable domestic transport companies to earn up to 30% more through logistics-related revenue. According to World Bank estimates, by 2030, cargo transportation via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is expected to reach 11 million tons. The Concept for the Development of Kazakhstan’s Transport and Logistics Potential until 2030 forecasts that the volume of containerized transit cargo along this corridor from China will grow by at least 40,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) in the next five years. Over the past decade, Kazakhstan’s domestic tanker fleet has significantly reduced its oil transport operations, as most of the country's crude oil is now transported via pipelines. However, a recent drone attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's (CPC) largest oil pumping station and a subsequent statement from “Transneft” warning that this could lead to a 30% reduction in Kazakhstan’s oil exports highlight the urgent need for an alternative maritime route for oil transport. This would help maintain stable oil production in the country’s fields. Accelerating the modernization and expansion of Kazakhstan’s national fleet will integrate the country into the regional transport and logistics system, reduce dependency on foreign vessels, and protect foreign trade from volatile freight market conditions — especially given ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in the region. A key initiative expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s...

Trade Routes

New Freight Train Route Links China to Afghanistan via Central Asia

A freight train carrying communication equipment and other goods departed from Chongqing, China, on Monday and is expected to arrive in Afghanistan within 12 to 15 days, Xinhua has reported. This marks the launch of a new direct freight route between Chongqing and Afghanistan, passing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The train is transporting telecommunications equipment produced by Chinese tech company ZTE, which will be used to expand Afghanistan’s communication infrastructure. According to Liu Jianfeng, a representative from ZTE, the new rail route reduces transit time by three to five days compared to road transport, and lowers logistics costs by 15% to 20%. Xu Runqiu, an executive at Yuxin’ou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Company, emphasized that the route’s launch strengthens economic and trade ties between China and Central Asian countries. Chongqing has been positioning itself as a key inland logistics hub, with freight traffic to Central Asia and Europe expanding significantly in recent years. To date, the city has dispatched more than 18,000 freight trains across 50 routes, reaching over 100 cities in Asia and Europe.

Transport cooperation

Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan Plan New Trade Route Connecting Asia and Europe

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with delegations from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan on January 29 to discuss strengthening regional trade and connectivity. At the meeting, Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov delivered a letter from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. “We conveyed the warmest greetings and a letter from His Excellency the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The strong ties between our leaders form the foundation for close cooperation in all areas. Our peoples, connected by a shared history, traditions, and customs, are working together for a better future,” Saidov wrote on Telegram. Saidov was in Ankara for a trilateral forum with his Turkish and Azerbaijani counterparts. Ahead of the event, he held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. During the forum, the three countries discussed expanding trade routes between Asia and Europe, as reported by the Anadolu Agency. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the Middle Corridor — which runs through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Turkey — has proven to be the most reliable and cost-effective trade route between the two continents. Fidan stressed the importance of regional cooperation in the economic, transport, and energy sectors, particularly in light of recent global disruptions caused by the pandemic and conflicts. He also noted Turkey’s growing role as an energy hub amid ongoing challenges in global energy supply. Beyond trade, the ministers addressed regional security concerns, including the situation in Syria. Fidan described recent developments there as a “new window of opportunity” for reconstruction and stability. He called for joint efforts to support Syria’s rebuilding process, emphasizing that stability in the region would enhance trade, transport, and energy cooperation. During the forum, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan outlined a joint declaration and road map for future cooperation, covering foreign policy and regional cooperation between the three countries; expanding trade, economic, and investment ties to boost regional commerce; and developing transport routes and enhancing regional connectivity. Transport ministers from all three nations will now work on improving logistics and transit routes to further facilitate trade.

International transport

Kazakhstan-China Railway Cargo Transportation Reaches Record High in 2024

In 2024, railway cargo transportation between Kazakhstan and China exceeded 32 million tons, achieving an all-time high, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Transport. Kazakhstan’s rail exports to China grew by 1 million tons, totaling 13.7 million tons. Key export commodities included iron and non-ferrous ore, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and grain. Meanwhile, Chinese transit cargo passing through Kazakhstan increased by 19%, reaching 15.3 million tons. Additionally, containerized Chinese cargo transiting to Europe via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) recorded significant growth, rising by 43% compared to 2023. One of the main drivers of this record-breaking performance was the opening of a Kazakh terminal at the dry port in Xi’an, China. In 2024, more than 300 container trains passed through this terminal and the Kazakh Caspian port of Aktau, an astonishing thirtyfold increase from 2023. Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country’s national railway company, has expanded its terminal network. Currently, Kazakhstan operates five major terminals: The port of Lianyungang (China), The dry port in Xi’an (China), Dostyk railway station (Kazakhstan), The Khorgos Gateway dry port (Kazakhstan), and The ferry complex at the Caspian port of Kuryk (Kazakhstan). Kazakhstan has announced plans to add nine additional terminals over the next two years, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s position as a vital hub for transcontinental trade. Several terminal construction projects began in 2024, including: Almaty, Kazakhstan: A logistics hub aimed at strengthening domestic cargo-handling capacity. Azerbaijani port of Alat: A joint project involving Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and China to establish a cargo terminal in Baku. Budapest, Hungary: A terminal in Hungary’s capital designed to expand Kazakhstan’s trade network in Europe. Selyatino, Russia: A facility near Moscow to support rail cargo transportation between Kazakhstan, Russia, and China. Additionally, and in collaboration with China’s port of Lianyungang, Kazakhstan has begun constructing a container hub at the Caspian port of Aktau. Kazakhstan’s expanding railway infrastructure will solidify its role as a key logistics hub connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe. With continued investment in terminal networks and partnerships with regional and global stakeholders, Kazakhstan is well-positioned to further enhance its trade capacity and meet the growing demand for transcontinental cargo transportation.