A new grain terminal has been opened in Khorgos on the Kazakh-Chinese border. The terminal is currently operating in test mode. In the future, local authorities plan to increase storage capacity twentyfold, up to one million tonnes. In the special economic zone of Khorgos, the new grain terminal has begun accepting grain wagons. It facilitates…
Category: Kazakhstan
Russia hoping to use INSTC to evade sanctions, says think tank
According to the US-based think tank The Jamestown Foundation, Russia hopes to use the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a way to evade Western sanctions. The development of the corridor allows Russia to gain more open access to non-Western markets. Those could provide Russia with much-needed goods for its war economy. The INSTC is […]
Russia, China and Kazakhstan eye new transport hub near Moscow
Russia, China and Kazakhstan want to build a new transport hub near Moscow and develop a direct transport link between Chinese city Xi’an and Moscow. Russian firm Slavtrans, the Chinese company Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation and Kazakh Railways have signed a memorandum of understanding that envisions these ideas. In order to further […]
Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan create INSTC joint venture
Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan plan to create a joint venture for the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The plan aims to improve the delivery of transportation services, shorten cargo delivery times and streamline customs services. The INSTC is a transport corridor that connects Russia and Iran along the western and eastern coasts […]
Kazakhstan calls for Kazakh Railways reform after frequent rail fee hikes
The parliament of Kazakhstan wants to reform its national rail operator Kazakh Railways (KTZ). The parliament filed a request to remove infrastructure management from the company’s competencies and to increase procedural and strategic transparency. The request follows years of rail fee hikes that raise concern about the country’s competitiveness. As rail freight increasingly transits Kazakhstan […]
Kazakhstan calls for Kazakh Railways reform after frequent rail fee hikes
The parliament of Kazakhstan wants to reform its national rail operator Kazakh Railways (KTZ). The parliament filed a request to remove infrastructure management from the company’s competencies and to increase procedural and strategic transparency. The request follows years of rail fee hikes that raise concern about the country’s competitiveness. As rail freight increasingly transits Kazakhstan […]
Rail freight volumes between China and Kazakhstan reach record high
Rail freight volumes between China and Kazakhstan have reached a new record in 2023. Volumes grew by 22 per cent in comparison to the previous year. In total, volumes amounted to 28 million tonnes. Representatives of Chinese and Kazakh rail operators presented the new rail freight numbers at a meeting in the Chinese province of […]
EU to invest 10 billion euros in Middle Corridor
The European Union is allocating 10 billion euros for the development of the so-called Middle Corridor. It has identified 33 infrastructure projects to be financed, among which are many rail projects. The EU hopes to create an alternative transport route that circumvents Russian infrastructure. The currently allocated 10 billion euros will be spent on infrastructure […]
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan push for more rail along INSTC
The Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have introduced plans to expand rail infrastructure along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The countries presented these plans at a meeting of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The organization aims to enhance infrastructure integration among its member states. The plans were introduced at a meeting […]
Kazakhstan sees record rail freight turnover for the third time in a row
Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has achieved a record annual rail freight turnover for the third year in a row. In 2023, turnover grew by seven per cent to 269 billion tonne-kilometres in comparison with the previous year. This growth can partially be attributed to higher transit volumes, in particular to and from China. According to Kanat […]