Kazakhstan and Russia Digitalize Rail Freight Transportation

Kazakhstan’s national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), and Russian Railways have signed a joint action plan to develop the digitalization of bilateral rail freight transportation. The document was signed on May 28 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan. According to KTZ, the plan aims to create a unified digital space between the railways of Kazakhstan and Russia. The company said the move would improve the efficiency of transportation processes, speed up cargo handling, and introduce modern digital solutions on international routes. Implementation of the plan is expected to support seamless transit, remove digital barriers, expand electronic document exchange, and develop paperless technologies in freight transportation. The parties also agreed to gradually increase the number of trains passing through nine interstate railway crossings on the Kazakhstan-Russia border. KTZ described the signing as an important step in developing transport and logistics cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia, saying it would also strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a key economic bridge between Russia and the countries of Central Asia. According to KTZ, rail freight between Kazakhstan and Russia totaled 92.1 million tons in 2025, up 3.5% from 2024. The growth was driven primarily by transit operations. Russian cargo exports through Kazakhstan increased by 16.1% to 17.3 million tons, while cargo exports from Kazakhstan transiting through Russia rose by 20.4% to 21.5 million tons. The growth trend has continued this year. In the first four months of 2026, exports from Kazakhstan, including coal, ferrous metals, and fertilizers, transiting by rail through Russia increased by 70,000 tons to 7 million tons. Russian cargo transported to and through Kazakhstan, including oil products, ferrous metals, grain and food products, exceeded 12 million tons, an increase of about 20%.