According to the World Bank, high transportation costs and unstable transit result in Central Asia losing up to 2% of its GDP annually, with logistics costs accounting for up to 60% of the value of goods—several times higher than the global average. This was stated by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 5 during his speech at the Third UN Conference on … [Read more...]
Unmanned Freight Transport at the Border: Kazakhstan and China Launch “Smart Customs” to Boost Multimillion-Dollar Trade Turnover
As part of strengthening Kazakh-Chinese economic cooperation, an innovative pilot project, "Smart Customs," has been launched at the border checkpoints of "Bakhty" (Kazakhstan) and "Pokitu" (China). The project aims to enhance efficiency and digitalize customs logistics, with the introduction of unmanned freight transport as its key component, according to the Ministry of … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan: Launch of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project – Expanding Logistics Opportunities for Central Asia
On 17 July 2025, a tripartite meeting was held in Kabul, marking a significant step in strengthening regional connectivity between Central and South Asia. During the meeting, representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways signed a framework agreement to develop the feasibility study (FS) for … [Read more...]
Rhenus Group: Turkmenistan Could Become a Key Transport Artery Between Europe and Asia
A meeting took place in Brussels between Ambassador of Turkmenistan Sapar Palvanov and Heinrich Kerstgens, Director for Strategic Projects of the Board of the Rhenus Group—one of Europe’s largest international logistics companies. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss Rhenus Group’s plans to significantly increase freight volumes through Turkmenistan. The company … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan starts Incheon-Ashgabat flights
Turkmenistan started its first-ever direct passenger flight between Incheon and Ashgabat on Monday, marking a milestone in connectivity between Korea and Central Asia. The new Turkmenistan Airlines route, operating once a week every Monday boosts access to Turkmenistan and eases onward connections to major European cities such as Frankfurt, Milan and Istanbul. With Ashgabat … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan to Strengthen Connectivity Between Central and South Asia — Memorandum Signed on the Torghundi–Herat Railway Construction
The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the fundamental principles for the construction and operation of a railway linking Central and South Asia. The document was signed in Kabul following negotiations between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign … [Read more...]
KTZ Express and AD Ports Group Launch GulfLink: A New Momentum for Central Asian Logistics
JSC "KTZ Express" and the UAE-based AD Ports Group have officially announced the launch of GulfLink Ltd., a joint venture registered in Kazakhstan. GulfLink has been established to develop international multimodal routes linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with a focus on enhancing the resilience, flexibility, and efficiency of global logistics chains. According to … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan to Invest $500 Million in Torghundi–Herat Railway Project, Says Afghanistan
Kazakhstan plans to invest in the construction of the Torghundi–Herat railway line in Afghanistan. This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during a meeting with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization Summit in Khankendi, … [Read more...]
Russia and Turkmenistan Strengthen Dialogue on International Road Transport
From 23 to 25 June 2025, Ashgabat hosted negotiations between representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the Turkmenavtolaglary Agency under Turkmenistan's Cabinet of Ministers. The talks, which also included road carriers from both nations, focused on advancing international road transport cooperation. The Turkmen delegation underscored a … [Read more...]
Pakistan to launch freight train to Russia via INSTC
Pakistan will inaugurate its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, on June 22, marking a significant step in regional connectivity and international trade expansion, Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said. Addressing a press conference in the city of Multan, Punjab, on Tuesday, Abbasi said the new … [Read more...]
Bulgaria and Kazakhstan Strengthen Cooperation via the Trans-Caspian Route
Bulgaria and Kazakhstan are set to intensify efforts to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, which is becoming a vital link in transcontinental logistics connecting East and West. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of … [Read more...]
Irkeshtam Checkpoint on China-Kyrgyzstan Border Tests 24-Hour Operation Mode
On Sunday, 1 June 2025, the Irkeshtam checkpoint, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, began testing a 24-hour cargo clearance mode, according to Xinhua. This makes Irkeshtam the second land port in the region, following Khorgos on the China-Kazakhstan border, and the first in southern Xinjiang to implement such a system. According to the … [Read more...]
Russia and Turkmenistan discuss the development of transport cooperation
Mammetkhan Chakyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, had a working meeting with Roman Starovoit, Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, via video link. During the talks, the parties discussed key areas of transport cooperation between the two countries. One of the central topics … [Read more...]
Strengthening Connectivity: Second Meeting on the TUTIT+ China Corridor Held in Dushanbe
On 26 May 2025, the second meeting of the High-Level Working Group on the Multimodal Corridor Tajikistan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye (TUTIT + China) took place in Dushanbe. Organized by the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan, the meeting was supported by the "Trade Facilitation in Central Asia" project of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and … [Read more...]
Vietjet Qazaqstan – New airline in Central Asia
nCa-AI Collaborative Report Key Points Introduction On May 6, 2025, VietJet Airlines and Qazaq Air announced Vietjet Qazaqstan, a new low-cost airline in Astana, aiming to deepen aviation ties between Vietnam and Kazakhstan. This launch, witnessed during Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam’s state visit, marks a significant step in VietJet’s global expansion, … [Read more...]
While Turkmenbashy Arport is closed for repairs, all local flights are re-routed to Balkanabat
The newly completed airport at Balkanabat is serving as alternate airport for the duration the Turkmenbashy airport remains closed for repairs and renovation. As of 19 May 2025, all the domestic flights that were landing and taking off from Turkmenbashy airport, have been re-routed to Balkanabat airport. As reported by Turkmenportal, passengers can now use the following … [Read more...]
New International Airport Opens in Western Turkmenistan
On 2 May 2025, a new International Airport was inaugurated in Balkanabat, the administrative center of Balkan province, west of Turkmenistan. The opening ceremony was led by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. In his welcoming remarks, the head of state emphasized: “The development of economic sectors, including the transport and communications sector, is being … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan hold the first meeting of the Joint Commission on Transport, Transit and Logistics
On 28-30 April 2025, Bishkek hosts the first meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Kyrgyz Commission on Transport, Transit and Logistics. The meeting is attended by a delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Deputy Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan A.Khudaiberdiyev, foreign ministry of Turkmenistan … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan facilitated the test multimodal transportation on the Russia—Afghanistan route
In April 2025, the Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan (TULM), which operates container transportation on the country's railways, organized the first test multimodal container transportation on the Russia - Afghanistan route with transit through Turkmenistan. This step has become an important stage in the development of the international North-South transport and … [Read more...]
National Leader of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visits construction site of the new international airport in the western province
On 1 April 2025, during a working trip to the Balkan province, National Leader of the Turkmen People, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, traveled by helicopter from Turkmenbashi to Balkanabat. He visited the construction site of the new international airport in Jebel, where he reviewed the progress of the ongoing large-scale construction. To demonstrate the runway's readiness, an … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s Aviation Hub: Near 6,000 Transit Landings in a Decade
Turkmenistan's strategic development of its transport infrastructure has yielded significant growth in international air transportation and transit cargo flows, with approximately 6,000 transit landings recorded at the country’s airports over the past ten years. A key milestone was the April 2015 intergovernmental agreement on air services between Turkmenistan and … [Read more...]
Sustainable freight transport in Central Asia: A unified regional path
Central Asia’s freight transport faces key challenges, but a coordinated regional approach could unlock sustainable connectivity and resilience. Experts recently gathered at an International Transport Forum (ITF) event to assess strategies. The recent Policy Dialogue on Sustainable and Resilient Freight Connectivity in Central Asia – which brought together government … [Read more...]
Iran, Turkmenistan eye launching trial passenger rail, boost freight capacity
Iran and Turkmenistan have reached an agreement to initiate a trial passenger rail service between their nations, while also doubling freight capacity, signaling a major boost to regional connectivity. Farzaneh Sadegh, Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, announced the development following her return from a visit to Turkmenistan, where she attended the Conference … [Read more...]
The joint Turkmen-Iranian Economic Commission will meet in Tehran in May
A meeting of the joint Turkmen-Iranian economic commission will be held in the Iranian capital, Tehran, at the end of May this year. This issue was discussed during the meeting of, Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadeghi Malvajerd with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov. The meeting of the commission is … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan as a Key Logistics Hub of Eurasia
Turkmenistan, located at the intersection of the most important North-South and East–West transport and transit routes, plays a key role in the development of logistics in the Eurasian region. The country is actively developing its transport infrastructure, attracting the attention of investors and international partners. Akmukhammet Yusubov, Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen … [Read more...]
The first container train launched from India to Kazakhstan
As part of the expansion of international transport corridors, the first container train connecting India and Kazakhstan was launched, Uzbek Railways reports. The project is implemented with the support of three major transport and logistics operators in the region: Uztemiryulcontainer JSC (the official forwarder for railways of Uzbekistan), TULM JSC (the Transport and … [Read more...]
Across China: Direct road transport service launched between China, Turkmenistan
A truck bearing TIR signs on Thursday departed from an international road transport assembly center in Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province, bound for Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, embarking on the first journey of a new direct road transport service between the two countries, Xinhua reports. TIR, an abbreviation for Transports Internationaux … [Read more...]
IRU shapes critical transport discussions at the United Nations
The world road transport organisation, IRU, intervened on key policy debates of the highest UNECE Inland Transport Committee meetings and side events. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Inland Transport Committee (ITC) 2025 focused on the successes and challenges for inland transport on the road to 2030. Discussions centred on enhancing sustainable … [Read more...]
New International Airport at Jebel, Turkmenistan, almost ready for opening
Preparations are in full swing for the launch of a new international airport complex in the village of Jebel, located in the Balkan velayat. During an extended Cabinet of Ministers meeting on February 7, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted several facilities set to open during the International Year of Peace and Trust, with the Jebel International Airport Complex … [Read more...]
Turkish ambassador in Ashgabat underlines strategic importance of Turkmen-Turkish partnership in gas, electricity, and logistics
Ambassador Ahmet Demirok of Türkiye hosted a press conference in Ashgabat on Friday, 14 February 2025. He gave an across-the-board review of the robustly growing partnership with Turkmenistan. In his remarks, he particularly highlighted the breakthrough arrangement of the supply of the Turkmen gas to Türkiye through the territory of Iran under a swap arrangement. He … [Read more...]
China’s TIR boom: New hubs, new operations, new horizons
China’s TIR transport market experienced remarkable growth in 2024, marking a turning point in its development. With record-breaking numbers, the rise of new operations, and the establishment of logistics hubs, 2025 promises even greater expansion and innovation.China’s TIR operations surged in 2024, with an expanded scope covering cross-border e-commerce, cold chain products, … [Read more...]
Caspian-Black Sea Transport Corridor Agreement expected this year
On 10 February 2025, a quadrilateral working meeting was via videoconference to discuss the draft intergovernmental agreement on the establishment and implementation of the Caspian Sea-Black Sea international transit and transport corridor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports. The meeting was attended by heads and representatives of the Ministries of … [Read more...]
New railway route reduces travel time from China to Afghanistan by 3-5 days.
On Monday, 10 February 2025, a freight train departed from the Chinese city of Chongqing to Hairaton in Afghanistan, marking the launch of the first direct railway route connecting metropolis in southwestern China with Afghanistan, Xinhua reports. The train carrying 55 containers with communication equipment manufactured by the Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE will cross … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed the prospects of increasing the capacity of the Farap-Alat checkpoints
On 4 February 2025, representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the Customs Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a videoconference meeting. The agenda included increasing the capacity of the Farap–Alat road checkpoints and discussing proposals from the parties on this issue. As noted, after the recent … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan enjoy a strategic partnership in transport and connectivity
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan pay special attention to the active deepening of transit and transport links. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu at the final press conference following the talks in Astana with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov (Kazinform ). "About 100 … [Read more...]
The railway companies of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan set to streamline freight transportation
The railway companies of Kazakhstan KTZ and Turkmendemiryollary [Turkmen railways] met in Almaty to discuss the issues of expanding cooperation and optimizing railway communication between the two countries. According to data for 2024, the volume of cargo transportation between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan reached 1.6 million tons. KTZ press service reports that the key … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia and Iran agree to boost rail traffic on the North-South route
A railway cooperation meeting has concluded in Almaty, bringing together railway authorities from four countries to enhance transportation links along the International North-South Transport Corridor. The two-day discussions involved representatives from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Russian Railways (RZD), Turkmenistan Railways (Turkmendemiryollary), and the Islamic Republic … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Seeks Alternative Europe Routes via Turkmenistan
Kazakhstan is developing alternative transport routes to Europe via Turkmenistan, Iran and Türkiye. This follows from the commentary of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kazinform agency. According to the Ministry, work is currently underway to develop an alternative route bypassing Russia and Belarus. The new route will pass through the … [Read more...]
The Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–EU transport corridor is fully operational, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Transport says
To date, the Kyrgyzstan– Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan –Azerbaijan–EU transport corridor is fully operational, the Kyrgyz agency Tazabek reports with reference to the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic Beknazar Bazaraliev. According to the official, Kyrgyz cargo carriers are already using this route to supply goods to Europe. "Our cargo … [Read more...]
Trans-Caspian TIR pilot boosts global lithium-ion battery supply chains
The first Trans-Caspian corridor shipment of lithium-ion batteries from China to Türkiye under the TIR system has demonstrated the potential for faster trade by significantly reducing transport times. A pilot TIR operation via the Trans-Caspian route saw ten trucks operated by Chinese hauliers carry lithium-ion batteries from China’s Alashankou border crossing to … [Read more...]
Half a thousand ports around the world: a mega-corridor connects western China with global markets
The new Land-Sea International Trade corridor, a key logistics network connecting China's western regions with global markets, currently covers 555 ports in 127 countries and regions. This is reported by the Xinhua news Agency. The trade corridor, whose operations center is located in the city of Chongqing in southwestern China, connects the world's ports via railways, sea … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Iran extend Artyk-Lotfabad Border Checkpoint operating hours
The third meeting of border agencies from Turkmenistan and Iran was held at the Artyk customs post on the Turkmen-Iranian border on 13 January 2025, according to the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, customs, border and migration services, and agencies of automobile and railway … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan Seeks Alternative Trade Corridors – Some will pass through Turkmenistan
The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan is actively working to diversify international routes and create alternative transport corridors for cargo transportation. This move aims to reduce reliance on transit countries facing challenges and ensure the stability of foreign trade operations. Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov emphasized this need, stating in an interview with … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan opens TIR windows for faster borders
TIR truck drivers now enjoy a smoother journey: dedicated TIR windows are operational at two key Kyrgyz border crossings. As part of ongoing efforts to streamline transport and trade through the landlocked Central Asian nation, TIR windows are now operational at the Turugart and Irkeshtam border crossings with China. TIR operators using TIR-EPD – TIR’s advance cargo … [Read more...]
China Completes World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel
On 30 December 2024, China achieved a significant engineering feat by completing the construction of the world's longest high-speed tunnel through the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This milestone marks a crucial step forward in enhancing connectivity within the country. The 22.13-kilometer Tian Shan Shengli Tunnel (Shengli … [Read more...]
Construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway starts in Kyrgyzstan
On 27 December 2024, construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway started in Kyrgyzstan, which in the future will play a strategic role in accelerating cargo traffic between China and Europe. The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, led by President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, took place in the village of … [Read more...]
China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran Corridor Sees 31% Traffic Growth
On 19-20 December 2024, an expert meeting was held in Beijing to discuss the development of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran (CKTI) transport corridor. The meeting reviewed the corridor's performance in 2024 and explored avenues for future growth, according to Kazakh transport and logistics company KTZ Express. In January-November 2024 According to the results of 11 … [Read more...]
Russia and Pakistan to launch freight rail link through Central Asia
Russia and Pakistan will launch the first direct freight train between the two countries next year to boost mutual trade, the Pakistani television channel PTV reports, citing Pakistan's Energy Minister Awais Leghari. In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Leghari said that Moscow and Islamabad are going to launch "the first freight train that will depart from … [Read more...]
Iran’s exports of goods through the Serakhs railway station on the border with Turkmenistan increased by 6%
In the first 9 months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on 21 March 2024), exports of goods from Iran through the Serakhs railway station on the border with Turkmenistan increased by 6% compared to the same period last year, IRNA news agency reported, citing Mustafa Nasiri, Director General of the Khorasan Provincial Railway. The total volume of international … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan to Establish Single Operator for Aviation Fuel and Upgrade Transport Infrastructure
Kazakhstan plans to designate KazMunayGas-Aero as the single operator for aviation fuel to address shortages and reduce dependency on imports, Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev said at a Dec. 23 meeting in the Mazhilis, a lower house of Parliament, reported Mazhilis’s press service. According to Karabayev, enabling large purchases will eliminate intermediaries, stabilize … [Read more...]