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...]
What cross-border hubs is Kazakhstan developing?
Kazakhstan is actively developing cross-border hubs to enhance its position as a regional transport and logistics center in Central Asia and the Caspian region. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed the government to establish fully-fledged transport and logistics hubs along Kazakhstan's borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia, as well as on the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan attracted nearly $1 Billion of investments for transportation projects
At present, investments totaling USD 953.2 million have been attracted for ongoing projects of the transport complex of Turkmenistan, of which 77.5% of the total volume of investment projects have been mastered. This was announced by Dovran Saburov, the chairman of the Turkmen Airlines Agency, speaking at the International Conference "International Transport and Transit … [Read more...]
ITTC 2024: The Customs Services of Turkmenistan, Iran and the IRU signed a Memorandum of Understanding
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 26 November 2024 between the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, the Customs Administration of Iran, and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) at the international exhibition and conference of the transport sector of Turkmenistan ITTC 2024. This document is intended to strengthen cooperation between the three … [Read more...]
ITTC-2024: The Plenary session highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the field of transport
On 26 November, the International Conference "International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development" (ITTC-2024) began its work in Ashgabat. The speeches of the plenary session were devoted to topical issues of the development of the transport industry, including strengthening international cooperation, innovation, digitalization and environmental … [Read more...]
Ashgabat will host 3rd International Conference and Exhibition “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnectedness and Development – 2024” in Honor of World Sustainable Transport Day
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is set to host the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition "International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development – 2024" (ITTC-2024) on November 26-27, in honor of World Sustainable Transport Day. Organized by the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan in partnership with … [Read more...]
The Organization of Turkic States launches Union of Associations of International Road Carriers in the Turkic Region
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) marked a pivotal moment in advancing regional transport collaboration with the signing ceremony of the Terms of Reference for the Union of Associations of International Road Carriers in the Turkic Region (OTS-URTA) on 20 November 2024 in Istanbul, OTS said in a press release. Hosted by the International Transporters Association of … [Read more...]
EU-Turkmenistan Online workshop: Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
On November 20, an online seminar was held under the EU Coordination Platform for the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The event brought together representatives of Turkmenistan’s government agencies, the European Union, international financial institutions, and foreign embassies. On behalf of Turkmenistan, participants included the Agency of Transport … [Read more...]
Freight costs along the eastern branch of the North–South Corridor halved
The cost of transporting goods by rail along the eastern branch of the North-South International Transport Corridor has been reduced by over 50% since 2022, now reaching $32 per ton. This was announced by Alexander Sharov, CEO of Rusiranexpo (a Russian group of companies operating in the Iranian market), Logirus reports. Fully operational since 2023, the eastern branch … [Read more...]
Russia to define the operator for the shipping line between the Astrakhan port of Olya and the port of Turkmenbashi
The Astrakhan region in Russia is working to establish a regular shipping line between the port of Olya and the Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi in the Caspian Sea. Local shipping companies have expressed interest in operating the route, TASS reports with reference to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy of the Astrakhan region. In 2023, negotiations were held in Astrakhan … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Target $3 Billion in Trade
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan have signed a partnership roadmap aimed at boosting bilateral trade to a value of $3 billion. The agreement was inked by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Minister of Trade and Industry Nooriddin Azizi during bilateral business forum in Almaty on 22 October. The roadmap outlines a broad range of cooperation areas, including trade, … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Türkiye discuss transport cooperation on Middle Corridor
Mammetkhan Chakiyev, the head of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, visited Türkiye to attend the International Road Federation (IRF) World Congress. On the sidelines of the forum Chakiyev met again with a delegation from the International Transporters Association (UND) of Türkiye. The meeting brought together Murat … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan prepares to accede to FAL Convention
Turkmenistan is stepping up progress towards accession to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), with IMO’s support. The FAL Convention is a global treaty aimed at achieving the most efficient international maritime transport as possible, with smooth transit in ports of ships, cargo and passengers. The treaty contains standards, rules and … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to access Gwadar port under CPEC
Turkmenistan is poised to become the first Central Asian nation to access Gwadar port as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). An agreement between Pakistan and Turkmenistan is expected to be signed soon. The Pakistani government has established a committee to review the draft agreement between Gwadar Port and Turkmenbashi Port. This development is part of … [Read more...]
TIF 2024: ADB Commits $625 Million to Turkmenistan’s Development
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged $625 million in investment projects in Turkmenistan, with one project completed and another ongoing. Additionally, the Bank is providing $11 million in technical assistance to strengthen institutions and capacity building, as announced by ADB's Country Director for Turkmenistan, Artur Andrysiak, during his online presentation at … [Read more...]
IRU and Turkmenistan hold high-level talks on road transport priorities
Turkmenistan can continue to grow its road transport sector by coupling “hard” and “soft” infrastructure developments. A roadmap discussed by IRU and Turkmenistan could further streamline efforts. In meetings with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Rashid Meredov, and Director General of the Agency for Transport and … [Read more...]
TIF 2024: Uzbekistan proposes to create a unified transport system in Central Asia
Ilkhom Makhkamov, Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, outlined his country's efforts to enhance regional and interregional transport connectivity at the TIF 2024 Investment Forum in Ashgabat. Makhkamov highlighted several key transport initiatives involving Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In order to create the shortest route to the World Ocean for the … [Read more...]
Iran’s rail trade with Turkmenistan up 30% at Sarakhs border crossing
1,050,000 tons of goods were transported through Iran’s Sarakhs border crossing with Turkmenistan in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started in March 2024), showing a 30% growth compared with the same period last year, IRNA reports. Nearly 600,000 metric tons of the total foreign trade at the Sarakhs railway border was related to goods transit … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan, Afghanistan sign four documents related to TAPI, TAP, Railways
The Afghan delegation led by the Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Products of Afghanistan Hidayatullah Badri, had a meeting on 30 August 2024 in Ashgabat. The Turkmen side was represented by several deputy prime ministers, ministers, and other senior officials. The expanded talks led to the signing of four documents: – Memorandum of Understanding between the … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan to Increase Middle Corridor’s Capacity to Ten Million Tons Annually
Saniya Sakenova The Kazakh government is working to implement the Roadmap to eliminate bottlenecks and develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) until 2027 between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and between Kazakhstan and Georgia. This will increase the route’s capacity to ten million tons per year, the Prime Minister’s press service reported on Aug. … [Read more...]
China sets 2050 target for world-class aviation hubs
China plans to establish a group of world-class aviation enterprises and hubs by 2050, according to a new guideline released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the National Development and Reform Commission. The guideline outlines a three-phase strategy for developing international aviation hubs with milestones set for 2025, 2035 and 2050. By 2025, the … [Read more...]
Warehouse space deficit in Central Asia estimated at 20 million m²
There is an acute shortage of warehouse space in Central Asia, which leads to a situation of zero vacancy in the market. According to Stanislav Akhmedzyanov, Managing Partner of IBC Global, the deficit of modern warehouse facilities in the region is measured in tens of millions of square meters. "If you need a high-quality modern warehouse, it is almost impossible to find … [Read more...]
Talks held with the head of the National Logistics Corporation of Pakistan
On 23 August 2024, a meeting was held in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan between the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov and Farrukh Shahzad Rao, Director General of the National Logistics Corporation of Pakistan. During the meeting, the parties noted that the time-tested Turkmen-Pakistani relations have great potential for further … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Iran are preparing to establish joint trade zone
Turkmenistan and Iran are preparing to establish a joint trade zone. It will be located Incheh Borun n the Golistan province of Iran. It is a small town with population of about 2000. Nevertheless, it is strategically important as the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway line enters Iran at this point. An area of 12577 hectares (about 125 square km). It is 40km from the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to abolish requirement of permit for road cargo movement between the two countries
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are ready to abolish the requirement of permit for the movement of road cargo between the two countries. According to Kazinform, the document on the Open NPA website states that cargo transportation by motor vehicles between states or transit through their territories will be carried out without permission. It should be noted that the amendments … [Read more...]
Astrakhan University Ready to Expand Training of Personnel for Water Transport of Turkmenistan
The meeting between the leadership of the Caspian Institute of Sea and River Transport named after General Admiral F. M. Apraksin and representatives of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan was devoted to the presentation of the capabilities of the Astrakhan Region for training personnel in the field of water … [Read more...]
9 of the world’s 10 busiest ports are in Asia
Arailym Temirgaliyeva From January to July 2024, the volume of cargo and baggage delivered by maritime and coastal routes in Kazakhstan increased by 2.1 times against the same period in 2023 and reached 1.6 million tons. The figure is reported to be the highest within the past five years, Kazinform News Agency learned from Energyprom.kz. Maritime and coastal freight … [Read more...]
Air Cargo Review – Central Asia and Caucasus – Part Four
Turkmenistan Fleet Expansion and Modernization Turkmenistan Airlines has made significant strides in modernizing and expanding its cargo fleet. In March 2023, the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200P2F cargo aircraft, marking Central Asia's first Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) converted widebody. This aircraft, registered as EZ-F429, arrived in Ashgabat in May … [Read more...]
Tajikistan to build railway line up to border with Afghanistan. KOICA of Korea will cooperat
nCa Report Tajikistan is planning to build a railway line to its border with Afghanistan. The ministry of transport of Tajikistan and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed a protocol of negotiations on the development of a feasibility study (TES) for the Jaloliddini railway project Balkhi-Nizhny Pyanj. As reported by Asia Plus, “The main goal of … [Read more...]
How will the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway affect the transport connectivity of Central Asia?
The launch of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the construction of which will start in October 2024, will strengthen transport connectivity in Central Asia and increase the transit attractiveness of the region, believes Uzbek expert Nargiza Umarova. Growing geopolitical tensions in the world threaten the security of traditional sea routes on the one hand, and … [Read more...]
Air Cargo Review – Central Asia and Caucasus – Part Two
Uzbekistan 1.1 Overview and Statistics Uzbekistan's air cargo sector has seen substantial growth and development in recent years. In 2022, Uzbekistan's airports processed 80,100 metric tons of cargo and mail, a 62% increase compared to pre-COVID 2019 levels. For 2023, a further 19% increase in freight volume was planned, targeting 95,300 metric tons. This growth is … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are interested in developing the eastern branch of the North-South corridor
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin and Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Mammetkhan Chakiyev held a bilateral meeting in Astana. The sides discussed prospects for cooperation in the transport sector. Both countries are actively cooperating in the development of the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan could make efforts to link the transport systems of Central Asia, China, Europe, the Middle East, says President Serdar Berdimuhamedov
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan could make efforts to create the necessary conditions for the linking the transport systems of Central Asia, China, Europe, the Middle East, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said during a meeting with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Astana, Friday, 9 August. In this regard, the relevance of the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan is building up the potential of transport diplomacy and transit highways
TDH Commentary The sphere of transport and communications is the most important component of the economy of any nation. The dynamics of its development largely determines the dynamics of the development of the whole country. In turn, one of the integral components of the transport infrastructure is the freight and passenger transportation service, which is responsible for … [Read more...]
Record-Breaking Cargo Delivery on China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Route
A container train recently completed the 4,486-kilometer journey from China to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan in a record-breaking five days, Kazinform reports. Departing from the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi'an, China, the train traversed the Kazakhstan Railways network to the Saryagash border station before reaching its final destination, Tashkent, a major Central Asian … [Read more...]
India-Uzbekistan Container Service Launched via Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan's Transport and Logistics Center (TULM) has successfully launched the first container train service between India and Uzbekistan. The inaugural train, carrying 20 TEU containers of ceramic tiles, departed from Iran's Bandar Abbas port and is currently en route to Chukursai railway station in Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan's Sarakhs. At Sarakhs, cargo is being … [Read more...]
China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran Develop New Transport Route
JSC "Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan" (TULM) and Kazakhstani logistics company JSC "KTZ Express" have successfully piloted a new container train route connecting China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The inaugural train, carrying 45 forty-foot containers of auto parts, traversed the route from Xi'an (China) to Tehran (Iran) via Altynkol and Bolashak … [Read more...]
The trilateral Working group between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan is actively continuing its work to achieve common goals in regional development in the Caspian Sea
On July 24, 2024, the second Meeting of the trilateral Working Group on Improving Connectivity in the Caspian Sea was held in the online format. During the meeting of the Working Group, the draft Action Plan was thoroughly reviewed by representatives of the Parties, new wordings of the paragraphs have been proposed. At the same time, following the discussions within the … [Read more...]