New rail routes - The Times Of Central Asia

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Railway Development

Kazakhstan Accelerates Railway Modernization to Boost Transit Capacity

Kazakhstan is embarking on a large-scale modernization of its 16,000 kilometer railway network to significantly increase transit capacity, despite 57% of its infrastructure being worn out, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev announced at a recent government meeting. Sauranbayev acknowledged that the aging network affects both the speed and safety of freight, including transit trains. “The infrastructure is operating at full capacity,” he said. “To improve efficiency and sustainability by 2030, we plan to build new lines, modernize 5,000 kilometers of existing track, and repair another 11,000 kilometers.” Five new railway lines are currently under construction: Dostyk-Moyinty (linking the Chinese border to central Kazakhstan) Almaty bypass line (southern Kazakhstan) Darbaza-Maktaaral (Turkestan region) Moyinty-Kyzylzhar (connecting the west and center) Bakhta-Ayagoz (eastern Kazakhstan, to enhance trade with China) Two projects Dostyk-Moyinty and the Almaty bypass, are scheduled for early completion this year. The remaining lines will be finished by 2026. This year also marks the launch of a large-scale modernization of 3,000 kilometers of track, which the minister described as equivalent to constructing entirely new lines. “These projects are shaping a full-fledged railway framework for Kazakhstan,” Sauranbayev stated. Additionally, rail traffic to China has resumed through the Dostyk station. Kazakhstan currently hosts five international railway corridors. Transit volume is expected to rise sharply, from 33 million tons in 2025, to 54 million tons in 2026, and 67 million tons by 2029. Forecasts suggest volumes could reach 100 million tons by 2035, worth an estimated 4.4 trillion tenge (approximately $9.1 billion). “Our goal is to reach this figure even sooner,” the minister noted. Transit traffic has already doubled over the past decade, reaching 27.4 million tons in 2024. Seven cargo handling terminals now operate at Kazakhstan’s borders, with two more to open soon and five additional facilities planned. “This will establish a terminal network along the East-West route. We offer a transit product based on three pillars: delivery time, tariffs, and service,” Sauranbayev said. He also highlighted the stability of tariffs along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or “Middle Corridor,” which connects Kazakhstan to Europe while bypassing Russia. Tariffs have remained unchanged for three years. Preparations for an intergovernmental agreement on further development of the route are set to begin shortly. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) announced in December that customs declaration procedures for transit cargo along the Middle Corridor have been digitalized.

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.

China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway

Long-Awaited Construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Officially Launched

On December 27, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China, Zheng Shanjie, and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev participated in a ceremony to mark the start of construction on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. The event occurred in the village of Tosh-Kutchu in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region, where they laid the first stone for this significant regional transportation project. Speaking at the ceremony, President Japarov highlighted the importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as more than just a transportation route, describing it as a critical strategic bridge linking the East and West. "This route will ensure the delivery of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan, as well as to the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East, including Turkey, and on to the European Union. The project will strengthen interregional ties, help diversify transport routes and increase the competitiveness of the region as an international transport and transit hub, which is in line with the goals of the Central Asian countries," Japarov said. Zheng Shanjie delivered a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting that the new land corridor connecting Asia and Europe will significantly increase the flow of people and trade among the three countries. According to the message, the project is expected to drive regional prosperity by fostering industrial and resource development, boosting trade, and attracting investment. Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in an address read by Deputy Prime Minister Khodjayev, called the launch of railway construction a historic milestone that the three nations had been working toward for nearly 30 years. The Uzbek leader noted that the new transportation artery, which will establish the shortest land route connecting Central Asia and China, will strengthen the strategic partnership between the three nations. The 523-kilometer railway will traverse Kashgar (China), Torugart, Makmal, Jalal-Abad (Kyrgyzstan), and Andijan (Uzbekistan). Once completed, the railway is expected to handle up to 15 million tons of cargo annually. Currently, neither Kyrgyzstan nor Uzbekistan has a direct railway connection to China. Central Asia’s rail link to China is limited to a route through Kazakhstan, leaving Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan without a direct connection.

Rail Corridor

Beijing Meeting Charts Future of China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran Rail Corridor

On December 25, experts convened in Beijing to evaluate the performance and future potential of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route. The meeting reviewed the route’s operational results for 2024 and explored opportunities for further development. Kazakhstan was represented by KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company. According to KTZ Express, cargo transportation volume along the route increased by 31% during the first 11 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This growth underscores the rising interest of market participants in the route and highlights Kazakhstan’s critical role as a transit hub in the global supply chain. Key Discussion Points Participants focused on several areas to enhance the route’s efficiency: Increasing cargo delivery speeds to further reduce transit times. Optimizing customs procedures to streamline cross-border operations. Implementing modern digital solutions to simplify logistics processes and improve transparency. Strategic Importance of the Route The China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway corridor is a vital link in Eurasian trade, facilitating the rapid movement of goods from China’s eastern coast to the Persian Gulf and Middle Eastern markets. This corridor has already achieved significant milestones, reducing delivery times between China and Iran to just 15 days. With its growing cargo volumes and strategic positioning, the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway route is poised to become an even more significant player in Eurasian trade. Continued efforts to optimize its operations and infrastructure will further solidify its role in connecting key global markets.

Transport

Transforming Kazakhstan’s Railways: Strategic Infrastructure for Regional and Global Connectivity

Kazakhstan’s rail network is a strategic national asset, vital for a country of its vast size and landlocked geography. Without direct access to the world’s oceans, railways serve as critical arteries for trade and transit. Under new geopolitical and logistical conditions, the importance of modernizing and expanding this network has become increasingly urgent. Spanning 21,000 kilometers, Kazakhstan’s railroads form the backbone of its transportation infrastructure. By 2030, the country plans to modernize 11,000 kilometers of highways and construct over 5,000 kilometers of new railways. Among these ambitious projects are the construction of second tracks on the Dostyk-Moyinty railway section, a bypass railway line around Almaty, and two new lines: Darbaza-Maktaaral and Bakhty-Ayagoz. Expanding Trade with China: Increased Cargo Traffic The Dostyk border station has become a key hub for exports to China and a vital transit point for East-West trade. In recent years, growing cargo volumes and limited capacity have placed immense pressure on its infrastructure. The Dostyk-Alashankou junction point, with a current capacity of 20 million tons annually, handled 15.2 million tons in the first 10 months of this year alone - a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. To address these challenges, construction of second railroad tracks on the Dostyk-Moyinty section began in November 2022. Part of the National Project: Strong Regions - Driver of the Country's Development, this project aims to increase the section’s capacity fivefold, from 12 to 60 train pairs per day. Transportation speeds between China and Europe are also set to improve significantly, from the current 800 kilometers per day to 1,500 kilometers per day. Official data indicates that 635 kilometers of the planned 836 kilometers have already been completed. The project involves 62 bridges, 242 pipelines, and a workforce of 24 construction companies and over 440 units of equipment. Completion is expected by late 2025. Private Investments Driving New Railway Lines Kazakhstan’s second major rail crossing with China, Altynkol station, has also reached its maximum capacity. Together with Dostyk, the two stations handle 28 million tons annually. This makes the development of the new 272-kilometer Bakhty-Ayagoz railway line essential. Connecting the border to the Semey-Aktogay section and the China-Europe corridor, the new line is expected to boost goods transportation to and from China by an additional 20 million tons. This project, realized under a public-private partnership model, will feature the construction of 11 stations, 47 bridges, 23 railroad overpasses, and eight highway overpasses. It will also include five pedestrian bridges and 16 observation structures, utilizing over 500,000 locally manufactured sleepers and 36,000 rails. Approximately 1,700 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with priority given to local residents. Alleviating Traffic in Almaty: A New Bypass Line The 73-kilometer bypass railway line around Almaty is set to increase cargo capacity by 17 million tons annually. By redirecting traffic to the Zhetygen-Kazybek Bey line, this project will reduce congestion at the Almaty junction by 40%. Faster delivery times for goods and passengers - up to 24 hours shorter - are among...

Transport cooperation

Kazakhstan, Hungary, and China Establish Cargo Terminal in Budapest

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ, Kazakhstan’s national railway company), L.A.C. Holding (Hungary), and Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd (China) have signed a memorandum to establish a joint inter-modal cargo terminal in Budapest. The document was signed on November 20 as part of the state visit of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Hungary. The planned terminal will leverage the strategic location of the Hungarian capital in the heart of Europe and its developed transport network for multimodal transportation across the continent. The terminal will have a capacity of 230,000 TEU annually and will increase the number of container trains between China and Europe, including transit along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). The new terminal is expected to reduce delivery times and transportation costs. KTZ continues to expand its terminal network along key transport corridors to strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a key transit hub in Eurasia. On November 12, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and China signed an agreement to establish an inter-modal cargo terminal in the Port of Alat in Baku, Azerbaijan. Commenting on the signed Memorandum at a press briefing in Budapest, Tokayev said this initiative will strengthen trade and transport ties between the participating countries. “New opportunities are opening up for the development of infrastructure, logistics, and international trade. Eighty-five percent of land transit shipments between Asia and Europe pass through Kazakhstan. In the near future, the volume of cargo transportation along this route will reach 10 million tons,” Tokayev said.