Private transport and logistics companies, all members of the "Türkmen Logistika" Association, have begun testing an intelligent fleet management system as part of Turkmenistan's broader strategy to digitalize its transport sector, according to the national newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan. The platform was developed by Hebent Tehnologiýa, a Turkmen tech company specializing … [Read more...]
ITTC 2026: Ashgabat to Become a Hub for International Transport and Logistics Dialogue
From November 24 to 26, 2026, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat will host the 5th International Logistics Forum and Expo ITTC 2026 — "International Transport and Transit Corridors: Connectivity and Development." The forum and expo are organized by CJSC "Talvas Yoly," the OGUZ Forum & Expo division, with the participation of the following … [Read more...]
“Slavic Caravan” Rail Freight Service Opens New Trade Opportunities for Belarus and Uzbekistan
The first "Slavic Caravan" direct freight train has departed from Belarus for Uzbekistan, Belarusian media report. The project was launched through a partnership between Belarusian Railway and JSC "Uzbekistan Railways". Traveling along the Belarus–Russia–Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan corridor, the train will cover nearly 4,000 kilometers in just 5 to 7 days. The inaugural … [Read more...]
The Missing Piece in the Middle Corridor: Why Cargo Insurance Has Not Kept Pace with the Route’s Ambitions
nCa Report The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route — the Middle Corridor — has spent the past several years building the case that it can be a serious alternative to the northern Eurasian rail routes through Russia. New joint operators, digitalization initiatives, and steadily rising freight volumes all point to a corridor that is maturing from a contingency … [Read more...]
Crossroads of Logistics Arteries in Turkmenistan: Which Corridors Feature the Modernized “Sarahs” Post?
Turkmenistan continues the phased modernization of its border customs posts. As part of the latest stage, the upgrading of the "Sarahs Awtoyollary" road customs checkpoint on the Turkmen-Iranian border has been completed, reports the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. It is worth noting that this checkpoint is located in the Ahal province on the border with Iran's … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and EBRD Open New Chapter of Partnership: Package of Strategic Memorandums Signed in Ashgabat
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is reaching a qualitatively new strategic level. Talks held on Tuesday in Ashgabat between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso culminated in the signing of a solid package of bilateral documents setting the direction of … [Read more...]
eTIR bridges three countries and Caspian Sea in Middle Corridor trade boost
For the first time, eTIR operations have been run across the Caspian Sea between three countries: Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These new services will bring additional transit efficiency, speed and security to the vital Middle Corridor. An important bottleneck on the Middle Corridor between China and Europe is set to ease with the start of fully digital TIR … [Read more...]
The Geography That Will Still Be There
Tariq Saeedi The Middle Corridor has deservedly become one of the most discussed connectivity initiatives across Eurasia. It is attracting unprecedented political attention, financial commitments, and commercial interest. Much of this enthusiasm is justified. The corridor offers diversification of trade routes, strengthens the economic prospects of the countries along … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan Test eTIR Shipments to Türkiye and Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have launched real-time data exchanges for freight vehicles transiting across the Caspian Sea, utilizing the international digital eTIR system. The new mechanism is designed to streamline customs clearance and boost efficiency along the transport corridor connecting Europe and Central Asia. According to the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s Infrastructure Projects Rank Among Central Asia’s Top 10 Transport Initiatives, EDB Reports
Transport projects underway in Turkmenistan have secured spots among Central Asia’s top 10 Eurasian Transport Network developments by investment volume. Highlights include the Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi and Serakhs–Mary–Serhetabat motorway projects, according to a new report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) titled "Transport Corridors Infrastructure: Project Observatory and … [Read more...]
Investments in the Eurasian Transport Network Exceed $345 Billion, with a Fifth Accounted for by Central Asia
Eurasia’s transport landscape is set for a major expansion, with 402 ongoing and planned projects valued at $345 billion, alongside an additional $100 billion worth of ventures slated for launch. Central Asian countries account for over 21% of the total investments directed toward the development of the Eurasian Transport Network. A total of 114 projects worth over $71.75 … [Read more...]
Digital Transit: Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan Prepare Pilot Freight Shipment under the e-TIR System
The organization of the first pilot shipment along the Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan route using the international digital "e-TIR" system was discussed during a technical workshop at the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The workshop is part of a five-day program dedicated to coordination and technical support for carrying out the initial freight operations using … [Read more...]
Strategic Intelligence Brief — Commercial Opportunities Created by Turkmenistan’s Logistics Transformation
Our Strategic Intelligence Brief (SIB-003) has been launched. --- Commercial Opportunities Created by Turkmenistan’s Logistics Transformation This one tells you where the money actually goes. SIB-003 doesn't describe infrastructure — it prices the commercial ecosystem growing around it: cold-chain, bonded warehousing, fleet MRO, AI logistics. Real verticals, real risk … [Read more...]
From the Eastern Borders of Turkmenistan to the Black Sea: “Ojar Aziýa” Presents the Sarakhs–Mary–Serhetabat Highway Project in Tbilisi
On July 16–17, 2026, in Tbilisi, as part of the state visit of Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Georgia, the Turkmen-Georgian Business Forum and a multi-sector exhibition of Turkmen products and services were held. The events brought together representatives of government bodies, business circles, and leading companies from both countries, creating an important … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan Visits Georgia: Ashgabat Proposes Establishing a Turkmen Terminal on the Black Sea Coast (updated)
On 16 July, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived in Georgia on a state visit. The visit featured a series of high-level meetings, including summit talks between the two heads of state, consultations involving government officials, ministers and senior representatives of both countries, as well as the Turkmen–Georgian Business Forum. The agenda focused on … [Read more...]
The Caspian Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Tariq Saeedi The Middle Corridor — the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route linking western China to Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye — has, in the space of a few years, gone from a niche alternative to a genuine fixture of Eurasian trade planning. Container volumes have climbed sharply since 2022, new vessels are being … [Read more...]
Inns of Empire: How the Seljuks Invented the Connectivity State
Elvira Kadyrova and Liliya Zhirnova Long before "connectivity" became a term of art in Central Asian diplomacy, the Seljuks had already built the infrastructure to prove the concept. Nine centuries before the Middle Corridor and the Trans-Caspian transit routes became fixtures of regional summitry, the Seljuk state was solving an identical problem: how do you make a … [Read more...]
Pakistan’s Six New Overland Transit Routes to Iran: How Central Asia can benefit from these
nCa Report In April 2026, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce issued the Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026 (effective April 25), formalizing six overland road corridors. These routes connect Pakistan’s key ports—Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar—to Iran’s border crossings at Gabd (near Gwadar/Rimdan) and Taftan. They were activated amid disruptions in … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Boosts Logistics Capacity: First Half Cargo Turnover Exceeds 10.5 Million Tons
Cross-border transit volumes through Turkmenistan are demonstrating steady positive growth. According to the latest data from the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, cargo turnover through checkpoints on the State Border exceeded 10.5 million tons in the first six months of this year. This represents a 10% year-on-year growth. The agency noted that foreign trade transport … [Read more...]
Russia’s Aeroflot and Belarus’ Belavia Launch Single Ticket Service to Turkmenbashi via Minsk
The Russian national carrier Aeroflot and the Belarusian airline Belavia have entered into an interline agreement, opening sales for single airline tickets on convenient connecting routes, including flights to the Turkmenbashi International Airport. According to an official statement from Aeroflot, Aeroflot passengers have gained the opportunity to fly to Georgia, Israel, … [Read more...]
Central Asia’s Next Leap: From Building Corridors to Making Them Work
nCa Commentary For nearly a decade, the development agenda of Central Asia has been dominated by one objective: building connectivity. Railways, highways, ports, logistics hubs and border infrastructure have received unprecedented investment, transforming the region into one of Eurasia's emerging transit crossroads. Today, a new consensus is beginning to … [Read more...]
The Aviation Silk Road: Connecting Eurasia Through the Skies
nCa Report For centuries, the Silk Road connected civilizations across Eurasia through a network of trade routes that carried goods, ideas, technologies, and cultures between East and West. In the twenty-first century, the concept has been reimagined in multiple forms under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Among these is the Aviation Silk Road—also known as the Air … [Read more...]
Beyond Geography: Why Operational Efficiency Will Define the Future of the Middle Corridor
Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova The first generation of discussions about the Middle Corridor focused largely on geography. Maps were drawn, routes were compared, and countries were identified according to their position along the emerging Eurasian transport corridor. The next generation of discussion must move beyond maps. Transport corridors do not compete because … [Read more...]
Gwadar and Central Asia: Geography Makes the Case, Work Continues
Tariq Saeedi The conversation around Gwadar has never quite settled into a stable consensus. For a stretch, it's the port that rewires Eurasian trade — the hinge point of a new regional order. Then the mood shifts, and it becomes the cautionary tale of ambition lapping execution, a facility with a master plan and not enough cargo to justify it. Both readings have had real … [Read more...]
Air Belgium Prepares to Launch Cargo Operations via Ashgabat
The Belgian charter airline Air Belgium may launch cargo flights through Ashgabat International Airport as early as the beginning of August 2026. The prospects for starting these operations were discussed during a meeting between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, and the CEO of Air Belgium, Georges Chachati. The technical framework for the transit … [Read more...]
Brussels Opens New Chapter in Europe-Central Asia Connectivity
nCa Report When European Commission officials welcomed transport ministers and diplomats to Brussels last Monday, the occasion was more than a routine policy gathering. The launch of the Connectivity Agenda Platform on 23 June marked a concrete step in the EU's long-running effort to build trade routes that bypass Russia and knit together two regions that have historically … [Read more...]
Crossroads by Design: How Turkmenistan Is Repositioning Itself at the Heart of Eurasian Trade
Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova There is a question that tends to get lost in all the excitement around the Middle Corridor — the overland trade route linking China to Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus. Governments trumpet new investments, analysts debate geopolitical implications, and logistics companies eye the route as an alternative to increasingly fragile … [Read more...]
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Could Open Ahead of Schedule, Says TRACECA Official
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway corridor could be completed by 2028–2029, two years earlier than the originally projected 2030 timeline, according to TRACECA Secretary General and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Jasurbek Choriev. Speaking at the Tashkent International Investment Forum, Choriev said construction began in 2024 and is progressing with … [Read more...]
Pakistan Eyes Major Eurasian Trade Boost by Linking Gwadar Port to Russia-Backed INSTC
Pakistan is actively pursuing integration into the Russia-backed International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) by connecting it with the strategically vital Gwadar Port, officials from both Moscow and Islamabad have confirmed. Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister Talha Burki announced Pakistan’s interest during the second Russia–Pakistan International … [Read more...]
Reception in Ashgabat on the Occasion of the Independence Day of Georgia: A Course Towards Strategic Partnership and Regional Connectivity
While the world faces fragmentation, Georgia and Turkmenistan continue to build strong economic bridges: at a reception honoring the Independence Day of Georgia in Ashgabat, Ambassador Konstantine Sabiashvili announced that a major Turkmen-Georgian business forum and exhibition will be held in Tbilisi as early as July this year. The Ambassador Extraordinary and … [Read more...]
French Business Aims for Large-Scale Purchases of Turkmen Urea and Petroleum Products
Today in Ashgabat, within the framework of the third session of the "White City Ashgabat 2026" conference dedicated to advanced energy and digital systems for cities of the future, Thierry Lhommeau, President of "Ste SODIPP International", delivered a report. His speech focused on the strategic prospects for cooperation between France and Turkmenistan, the global energy … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Kenya Build an Economic Bridge Between Central Asia and Africa: Outcomes of the Tokayev-Ruto Summit Talks in Astana
Astana has become the venue for a major geopolitical and economic event, hosting the President of Kenya, William Ruto, on a state visit. This historic, first-ever visit by a Kenyan leader to the Central Asian republic marks the beginning of a new milestone in interregional partnership. On 20 May 2026, the leaders of the two countries, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and William Ruto, … [Read more...]
Central Asia’s International Freight Volume Set to Increase by Around 50% by 2030 – EDB
By 2030, international freight volumes in Central Asia could increase by approximately 50%, while container traffic is projected to grow by nearly 70%. This was announced by Margulan Abdirov, Senior Executive Director of the Transport, Industry, and Infrastructure Directorate at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), during his remarks at the ESE ASIA 2026 international forum in … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Modernizes Two Customs Posts on Borders with Iran and Kazakhstan
As part of the phased modernization of customs checkpoints located along international transport corridors crossing Turkmenistan, upgrading works have been completed at the "Artyk" and "Garabogaz" customs posts. This was reported by the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The Garabogaz highway checkpoint — the "Garabogaz" customs post — is located in the Balkan province … [Read more...]
Supply Chains Are Becoming Intelligent — And Central Asia Is Joining the Transformation
nCa Report The modern economy runs on supply chains. Every product we use — from food and medicines to smartphones and automobiles — travels through a long network of producers, transporters, warehouses, ports, customs systems, wholesalers, retailers, and finally consumers. For decades, supply chains were managed through paperwork, telephone calls, spreadsheets, and … [Read more...]
China’s western rail gateway speeds freight links to Europe, Central Asia
Freight train traffic through Alashankou, also known as Alataw Pass, a key rail gateway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has surpassed 3,000 trips so far this year, reaching the milestone 19 days earlier than in 2025. This reflects steadily rising demand for reliable overland trade routes to Europe and Central Asia, reports Xinhua. A China-Europe … [Read more...]
A New Step on the Great Silk Road: Dry Cargo Vessel “Gadamly” Joins Turkmenistan’s Merchant Fleet
On Friday, 8 May, the Turkmenbashi International Seaport hosted a commissioning ceremony for the new dry cargo vessel Gadamly, the latest addition to Turkmenistan’s domestically built fleet. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the event to oversee the vessel’s entry into service. In his address, the President emphasized that "the commissioning of new cargo vessels … [Read more...]
The Silk Road Worked Because It Belonged to Everyone
Tariq Saeedi There is a growing tendency today to speak about trade corridors as instruments of strategy, influence, and competition. Maps are drawn with arrows pointing around rivals, past adversaries, and away from inconvenient neighbors. Connectivity is increasingly discussed in the language of exclusion. History offers a different lesson. What we now call the … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan Receives Georgian Minister of Economy
On 7 May, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Mariam Kvrivishvili, who is in Ashgabat on an official visit. According to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the sides discussed the traditionally close and friendly relations between the two nations, which are … [Read more...]
The Ashgabat Corridor Revisited: A Quiet Artery Gains Strategic Weight
nCa Report In an era defined by shifting trade routes and geopolitical uncertainty, an old regional initiative is quietly re-emerging with renewed relevance. The Ashgabat Agreement corridor—linking Central Asia to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman—has moved back into focus as countries seek resilient, diversified pathways for trade. What began in 2011 as a modest … [Read more...]
New Multimodal Corridor: Cargo from China to Afghanistan to Transit via Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
As part of the strategy to diversify transport and logistics corridors in the region, a new multimodal route has been launched for the delivery of containerized cargo from China to Afghanistan. The new path is designed to be a more efficient alternative to traditional maritime shipping. This was reported by Uztemiryulkonteyner (the container fleet operator of Uzbekistan … [Read more...]
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) Railway: A Strategic Connectivity Project
nCa Short Report The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway is a pivotal infrastructure project designed to boost trade and economic ties across Central Asia, connecting China directly with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Initially proposed in the 1990s, it has gained significant traction as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to create alternative trade … [Read more...]
Belarus Launches Accelerated Rail Route to Iran via Russia and Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The largest logistics operator in Belarus, “Beltamozhservice”, has announced the launch of an accelerated container rail service for cargo delivery to Iran. The new route follows the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) through Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Delivery time is just 13–15 days, making it … [Read more...]
UAE’s DP World Signs Deal to Modernize Afghanistan’s Key Trade Ports
Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is set to enhance its trade capabilities with Central Asian states and Pakistan through a new agreement with Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, as reported by multiple sources. Ariana News reports that the Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan and UAE-based DP World signed an investment term sheet on December 7 to modernize key commercial land … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan Develops Container Transportation to Europe via Turkmenbashi Port: 18 Block Trains Dispatched in 2025
JSC "Uztemiryo'lkonteyner," the operator of the container fleet for the Uzbekistan railways, successfully organized regular container shipments from Uzbekistan to European countries in 2025 via the seaport of Turkmenistan on the Caspian Sea – the Port of Turkmenbashi. In total, 18 block trains carrying mineral fertilizers, potassium, carbamide, aluminum, and copper … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Launches Modernized Border Checkpoints with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Elvira Kadyrova Kazakhstan has commissioned two upgraded automobile border checkpoints: "Kazygurt" on the border with Uzbekistan and "Temir-Baba" on the border with Turkmenistan, according to the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. The upgrades have reduced border crossing times to as little as 30 minutes thanks to the introduction of new … [Read more...]
Transport integration in Central Asia: the contribution of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
Ibrahimova Dildora, Head of the Centre for Transport and Logistics Development Studies at the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan Transport cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is now taking on strategic importance, shaping a new architecture of connectivity in Central Asia and creating additional opportunities for the region to enter the wider … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Leads Central Asia with Fastest Customs Transit Times, GIZ Study Shows
Turkmenistan has the fastest customs transit processing in Central Asia, with an average clearance time of just 37 minutes, according to a new study conducted by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) between August and October 2025. The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan released the findings on 4 Dec, highlighting the country’s continuing leadership in … [Read more...]
“Specialized Logistics 2025”: The Association “Turkmen Logistics” and GIZ strengthen the potential of the transport industry
The Turkmen Logistics Association, in partnership with the GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) Regional Project on Trade Facilitation in Central Asian countries, has successfully completed the cycle of intensive training courses "Specialized Logistics 2025". The event, which lasted from 25 to 27 November 2025, was aimed at improving the skills of specialists from … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Forge Closer Economic Ties, Focus on $1 Billion Trade and New Transit Corridors
Deputy Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan met in Astana today to accelerate economic partnership, setting their sights on a $1 billion trade target and securing vital logistics routes. Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, held discussions with Khodjamyrat Geldimyradov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers … [Read more...]