The first freight train left Russia for Saudi Arabia via the North-South international transport corridor, transiting through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. Shahriar Shahriari, Director General of the Customs Department of the Iranian province of Golestan, said in an interview with the local press that the first freight train from Russia crossed into Iran through the … [Read more...]
Foreign Ministers of Central Asia ‘Check the Clock’ on Regional and International Issues
On 13 September 2023, a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states was held in Dushanbe under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirodjiddin Mukhriddin, the MFA of Tajikistan reports. The meeting was attended by: • Turkmenistan – Rashid Meredov • Kazakhstan – Murat Nurtleu • Kyrgyzstan - Jeenbek Kulubayev • Uzbekistan - Bakhtiyor … [Read more...]
Global Times: BRI’s emphasis on environmentally friendly practices has benefited Central Asia countries
An aerial view of China built Turgusun hydropower station in city of Altai, Kazakhstan. Photo: Xinhua For ten years, China and Central Asian countries have been more tightly bonded together through cooperation in the traditional energy section under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the rise of Chinese companies specializing in renewable energy and scientific … [Read more...]
AD Ports Group enters the logistics market of Uzbekistan, forges its presence in Central Asia
The UAE-based AD Ports Group (AD Ports) and SEG ENERA Group, one of the multisectoral holding companies of Uzbekistan, announced Monday, 6 March 2023, the creation of a new joint venture ADL-Ulanish, which will provide comprehensive global logistics services across Uzbekistan. According to the press service of AD Ports Group, Through the new joint venture enterprise, AD … [Read more...]
The ground realities are transforming TAPI into CAPS – Part Three
Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova CAPS is going places, with all the elements of TAPI amplifying in scope and geographical spread in every direction. The new and emerging ground realities are driving this amazing makeover. The primary ground reality is the situation in Ukraine, with many secondary ground realities as its byproducts. As mentioned in the previous part of … [Read more...]
In January-May 2023, the Turkmenbashi Port received over 200 ships from Azerbaijan
In January-May 2023, the ferry terminal of the International Seaport Turkmenbashi received 213 vessels from Baku and sent 214 vessels in the back direction, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper writes. During this period, the Turkmen ferries "Berkarar" and "Bagtyyar" performed 70 shuttle voyages to Azerbaijan. Tens of thousands of tonnes of transit and imported cargo, … [Read more...]
Iran and Afghanistan forge transport connectivity with the launch of the Khaf-Herat railway
On Tuesday, 11 July, the Khaf-Herat railway connecting the west of Afghanistan and the eastern province of Iran was formally commissioned, according to Afghan and Iranian news outlets. The Khaf-Herat cross-border railway with a length of about 225 km consists of four segments. The first two sections with a total length of 78 km stretch from Khaf in Razavi Khorasan province … [Read more...]
IRU and Iranian road transport sector explore key regional opportunities – visited border crossing between Iran and Turkmenistan
To further raise the security and efficiency of regional trade and transit, IRU held workshops and meetings in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Mashhad. IRU also visited the Lotfabad border crossing between Iran and Turkmenistan. IRU member the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), customs authorities (IRICA), the Iran Road … [Read more...]
During its CICA Chairmanship, Kazakhstan will focus on enhancing connectivity in Asia
Kazakhstan and CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) have signed a roadmap for the Implementation of the Kazakh Chairmanship's Priorities in CICA for 2023-2024. The document was signed in Astana on 22 February 2023 in Astana by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kanat Tumysh, and the Secretary General of CICA, Kairat … [Read more...]
Multimodal route from China to Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan has been launched
Uzbek Railways announced the launch of container trains from the Chinese port of Xiamen to Uzbekistan via Iran and Turkmenistan. 39 40-foot containers with household appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, gas stoves) went by sea from the Chinese port of Xiamen to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Xiamen Port is one of the largest ports in China on the coast of the … [Read more...]
New TIR trade route opens connecting China to Pakistan and Afghanistan
IRU member CEVA Logistics and Pakistani transport company NLC completed the first operation along this new TIR route, linking Kashgar, China, to Pakistan by door-to-door road transport for the first time. NLC also extended this route to Kabul, Afghanistan. Using the global transit system TIR, three National Logistics Cell (NLC) trucks departed from China’s inland city of … [Read more...]
Pakistan and Turkmenistan agree to forge connectivity and trade cooperation
Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atajan Movlamov had a meeting with Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production of Pakistan Dr. Gohar Ejaz in Islamabad on 7 Sep. According to the message of the Ministry of Commerce in social nets, trade routes and rail links, gas pipelines and transit trade took center stage in discussions. The sides highlighted the … [Read more...]
Paving the path to prosperity for Europe and Asia’s Landlocked Developing Countries
Rabab Fatima, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States Europe and Asia's Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) stand at a critical juncture in their development journey. They are confronted with intricate development challenges, emanating from … [Read more...]
President of Kyrgyzstan: the development of regional transit, transport, logistics potential is the driving force for the growth in Central Asia
"It would be highly advantageous for the Central Asian countries to establish our region as a unified geo-economic space, facilitating diverse forms of successful economic cooperation and interaction," President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov said on 2 June, speaking at the Second high-level regional meeting with the participation of the heads of Central Asian states and … [Read more...]
The Belgian cargo airline “Challenge Airlines” performed its first flight to Ashgabat
The sky over Turkmenistan witnessed a significant event – the first flight and landing of a cargo plane of the Belgian airline Challenge Airlines at the Ashgabat International Airport, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium reported in social nets. After the first flight, a videoconference was convened, which was attended by the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium Sapar … [Read more...]
Transport connectivity under the focus of the meeting of the Central Asian Ambassadors with the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnership
The Ambassadors of the Central Asian countries in Belgium held talks with officials of the Directorate General of the European Commission for International Partnership (DG INTPA), headed by Regional Director Peteris Ustubs and Hors Classe Adviser Henrik Hololei. The meeting took place in Brussels on July 14, Friday. According to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium, the … [Read more...]
Transport Ministers of Central Asian States Adopt Joint Communiqué at Dushanbe meeting, Approve Draft Agreement on Land Transport
The Central Asian countries highlighted the important role of transport and logistics as a basis for promoting international trade, economic growth and sustainable development. This is stated in the Joint Communique adopted today (13 Sep) following the First Meeting of transport ministers of the countries of the region, which took place in Dushanbe, the Ministry of Transport of … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan may become a transit corridor for Uzbekistan to transport goods to Russia
Russia and Uzbekistan are exploring the possibility of organizing export-import cargo transportation along the multimodal route Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Caspian Sea–Russia and back. This was discussed at the meeting of the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov with the State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation D. Zverev. Issues … [Read more...]
Why is Russia interested in forging marine connectivity with Turkmenistan?
The creation of shipping lines between Astrakhan ports and the port of Turkmenbashi has been the subject of recent negotiations in Astrakhan with the participation of representatives of Rosmorrechflot (Russian marine and river fleet), the government of the Astrakhan region, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, representatives of the Astrakhan special economic zone "Lotos" … [Read more...]
Construction of Rasht-Astara railway line in Iran with Russian financing will connect railway systems of Iran and Azerbaijan
Russia is almost ready to finance the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line along the Caspian coast of Iran. Russia’s State Council Secretary Igor Levitin, accompanied by the senior railway officials of Iran, inspected the proposed track route by helicopter on 18 January 2023. Iranian deputy transportation minister Kheirollah Khademi said that Iran and Russia … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan actively tries to overcome the double landlockness, harnessing the connectivity options through the Caucasus
Elvira Kadyrova Last week, Uzbekistan secured several agreements aimed at improving the logistics of its commodity flows towards Turkey and Europe through the Caucasus region. The development of international transport corridors and the creation of favorable conditions for increasing transit traffic became one of the main topics of Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan intergovernmental … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan and Iran discuss multimodal corridor through Turkmenistan
Iran and Uzbekistan have agreed on the development of a trilateral multimodal transport corridor Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan–Iran. The relevant agreements were reached at the talks between the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov and the Minister of Road Economy and Urban Development of Iran Mehrdod Bazrposh in Tashkent, on Monday, 19 June. Within the framework … [Read more...]
First-ever in the world, eTIR operations launched in air freight between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan
On 27 December 2022, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan launched the world's first cargo transportation project using eTIR, Uzbek news agency "Dunyo" reports. The project involves the state Customs Committees of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, UN Economic Commission for Europe, the International Road Transport Union, the Association of International Road Carriers of Uzbekistan (AIRCUZ), … [Read more...]
Georgia builds up port capacity and aims to be the main gateway of Central Asia to Europe
Elvira Kadyrova The role of the Georgian Black Sea ports in the transport and logistics chains between Central Asia and Europe is difficult to underestimate. And regarding the significance of Georgia as a transit country in a broader Eurasian context, we can say that many continental routes converge here on the Georgian Black Sea coast from East to West, linking the biggest … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan recorded an increase in container traffic
During the period from January to November 2022, the volume of container traffic through Turkmenistan increased by 41% compared to the same period last year, reported the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. According to customs statistics, container traffic increased by 157% in 2021. Ensuring favorable conditions for the transportation of goods in containers is one of … [Read more...]
Finnish operator launches express container service to Central Asia
The Finnish operator Nurminen Logistics offers regular and high-speed container shuttle service from Europe to Kazakhstan and back in cooperation with the State Railways of Kazakhstan (KTZ). The new service is called "TransCaspian Express". It will run on the route Altynkol (Kazakhstan) – the port of Aktau (Kazakhstan) - the port of Baku (Azerbaijan) – the Black Sea ports of … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan is eager to launch a corridor to Russia via the Caspian port of Turkmenistan
The establishing a multimodal corridor Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan (port of Turkmenbashi)– Russia (Astrakhan port) was discussed during the working visit to Turkmenistan of the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic Tilek Tekebayev. During the bilateral meetings with representatives of the transport authorities of Turkmenistan, issues of … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Russia to expand transport cooperation
Elvira Kadyrova Turkmenistan and Russia are actively fostering transport cooperation, both in the field of infrastructure, as well as within major regional transport connectivity projects. Creation of a Transport commission One of the steps in this direction was the formation of a joint Turkmen-Russian commission on transport, transit and logistics, which was announced … [Read more...]
Europe launches railway freight service to Central Asia
Finland-based operator Nurminen Logistics, has started regular railway transport operations from Finland and Europe to Kazakhstan in co-operation with Kazakh State Railways (KTZE), the company’s press service said. The first consignment left Helsinki for Kazakhstan at the end of November and the next shipments will be in December. The route serves the import and export needs … [Read more...]
North-South corridor gains traction, but faces bottlenecks and needs investments
Elvira Kadyrova The International North-South Transit corridor (INSTC) actively promoted by Russia connects the Eurasian Economic Union, Central Asia, the Caucasus, South Asia, East Africa and the Middle East by the shortest routes. Its eastern branch, overlapping with the route of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, is one of the essential links. Kazakhstan is making … [Read more...]
Cargo turnover along the Middle Corridor may grow to 10 million tons per year in three years
The capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM) or the Middle Corridor may increase to 10 million tons per year by 2025. The agreement on this was reached during the Ministerial Meeting on Trans-Caspian Connectivity, which was attended by the foreign and transport ministers of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye. The meeting took place in Aktau … [Read more...]
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Islamabad calls for improving transport connectivity with Turkmenistan
President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari made a proposal to create a Turkmen-Pakistani joint transport company. The idea was announced on Wednesday, 9 November, during a meeting with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atajan Movlamov. According to Pakistani news outlets, Bakhtawari spoke in favor of developing … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan opens border crossings for the movement of foreign vehicles
Turkmen Motor Transport Agency has notified that from 7 November 2022, Turkmenistan will allow drivers of foreign and Turkmen vehicles to enter, exit, and transit through the following border crossings, subject to the necessary requirements: Turkmenbashi International Seaport "Artyk" (border with Iran) "Sarakhs" (border with Iran), "Garabogaz" (border with … [Read more...]
Turkmen and Russian Railways intend to launch regular container service
On 19 October, Oleg Belozerov, CEO of Russian Railways, met in Ashgabat with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Russian-Turkmen Commission on Economic Cooperation Rashid Meredov, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of … [Read more...]
Iran and Central Asian countries adopted a joint statement on transport cooperation
The first meeting on transport and transit cooperation between Iran and five Central Asian countries wrapped up in Tehran on Sunday, 9 Oct. During the two-day event, the heads of the transport authorities of Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, considered the possibilities of expanding transit cooperation. Deputy transport minister of … [Read more...]
Landlocked Uzbekistan to reach the open ocean through Turkmenistan and Iran
Elvira Kadyrova The transport and logistics cooperation took a prominent part in negotiations held on Wednesday, 14 September between the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran. The parties agreed that the establishment of road transportation along the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran route, the effective utilization of the Chabahar … [Read more...]
Chinese auto parts will be delivered to Iran Via Turkmenistan
Automobile components from China will be transported along the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran railway route, Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) reports. A container train with car parts have been sent via the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan–Iran route from the northeast station of Jingan (Dalian, China). The train consists of 50 forty-foot containers. The train will transit Kazakhstan … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan is actively involved in the Central Asia-Europe connectivity system
A batch of fertilizers from Uzbekistan was sent through the International Turkmenbashi port in transit to Europe. As the Trend reported, with reference to the transport and logistics company "ADY Container" LLC, 24 20-foot containers with mineral fertilizers from Uzbekistan were transported by rail to the port of Turkmenbashi, and onward headed to the Baku port. From … [Read more...]
Turkmen licorice root has paved a new multimodal route to China
The China-EU train consisting of 42 containers with licorice root on board arrived from Turkmenistan in the Chinese city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, the China News Network portal reports. This is the first-ever train that transported imported medicinal raw materials from Turkmenistan to China. In addition, for the first time, the China—EU train on its way back passed along … [Read more...]
Six Policy Reforms that can Strengthen Railways in Central Asia
Railways across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) region must consider implementing key reforms that will make them more efficient and financially sustainable. A new study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assesses the state of CAREC railways and identifies opportunities for investment, commercialization, and reform. By implementing key … [Read more...]
Visit of Turkmen delegation to Astrakhan – outcomes
The Turkmen delegation met Friday (26 Aug) with the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Astrakhan region Denis Afanasyev. The results of the three-day meetings and negotiations were summed up at the meeting. Afanasyev noted that this joint work is aimed at implementing the agreement between Astrakhan region and Turkmenistan, increasing the mutual trade, cooperation … [Read more...]
How Trade via Rail in Central Asia Can Mitigate the Energy and Climate Crises
Zulfia Karimova, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, ADB In a world where 90% of global trade is moved by sea, the landlocked economies of Central Asia almost exclusively rely on rail and road transport for trade. Much of the long-distance cargo moves via existing rail networks, which have substantial potential to facilitate trade in the region and beyond, including … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Astrakhan region assess prospects for cooperation in logistics and transport
The issues of developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation in the fields of transport, logistics and shipbuilding were discussed at the talks of the Turkmen delegation in Astrakhan on Thursday, 25 Aug. The negotiations brought together representatives of Turkmen transport sector, business community, a number of regional … [Read more...]
Turkmen delegation discusses opening of logistics center in Astrakhan
A Turkmen delegation consisting of representatives of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers arrived in the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation to discuss the project of opening a logistics center, Russian media reported. The talks will also explore the issue of launching ferry services from the port of Turkmenbashi to Astrakhan … [Read more...]
Astrakhan is ready to cooperate with Turkmenistan under the North-South corridor project
Astrakhan region is ready to actively cooperate with Turkmenistan on the development of the international transport corridor "North – South", said the minister of external relations of the Astrakhan region Vladimir Golovkov. The comments came after the recent statement of the Turkmen foreign minister regarding the accession to the North-South ITC agreement. According to … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to join North-South Corridor
Turkmenistan will join the North-South transport corridor established by Russia, Iran and India. The statement came from the minister of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov on Friday (19 Aug) during a briefing at the ministry of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan dedicated to the outcomes of the ministerial transport conference of LLDCs. According to Meredov, … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan to launch cargo transportation through Turkmenistan to Türkiye
Uzbekistan will establish intermodal cargo transportation to Türkiye (via Lake Van) along the international transport and transit corridor “Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan-Iran” within the framework of the Ashgabat Agreement. The relevant agreements were reached at the meeting of the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov with the Director General of the Agency for … [Read more...]
The Awaza Summary Statement of the Ministerial Transport Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries, 16 August 2022, Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan
Ministers and high-level representatives from landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), met in person (and virtually) on 15 and 16 August 2022 in Awaza, in the city of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, with participation of other relevant stakeholders including representatives from transit developing countries, development partners, United Nations, international, regional and … [Read more...]
International LLDCs Transport Conference wrapped up in Turkmenistan – several agreements inked – Awaza Statement adopted
The Ministerial Transport Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries under UN auspices concluded Tuesday in the tourist zone Avaza. The second day of the forum included four sessions and several side events. The third session entitled “Promotion of corridors, regional connectivity and integrated multimodal transport systems” underlined that the transport corridors are … [Read more...]
Ashgabat Process: Sustainable Transport is a key for Landlocked Developing Countries to recover in post-pandemic world
32 landlocked developing countries are the home for over half a billion people. Their growth rates may vary, but the absence of direct access to the sea hinders them from keeping pace with global development agenda. The ideas how to turn the landlocked countries into land-linked areas with wide connectivity opportunities will be generated during a two-day International … [Read more...]