Despite the shifting geopolitical landscape

- What are your plans for developing the Middle Corridor (TMTM)?

TMTM has become one of the key routes for transit traffic between China and Europe. Due to the collaborative efforts of the Chinese side in developing the route, transit traffic through TMTM increased nearly tenfold in the first seven months of 2024 compared to last year.

In 2023, Altynkol – Poti transit time averaged 30-35 days. Currently, the shuttle train operates on a fixed schedule three times a week, with a delivery time of 12-15 days regardless of container quantity. The route from Altynkol via Poti/Batumi to Constanta takes 20-22 days.

A feeder service to ship containers from Batumi to Turkey and Europe was launched in 2023, in collaboration with MAERSK.

In May, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway route resumed operations following the completion of construction and installation. It will facilitate access to Turkey and EU countries, marking a significant step in enhancing transport links through TMTM.

The development of TMTM received a boost with the opening of the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi'an, established through a joint venture involving China-Kazakhstan Trade and Logistics Company LLC, Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd., and JSC NC KTZ (through JSC Kedentransservice). In the first seven months of 2024, container transit from China via TMTM surged 14-fold.

In 2023, the volume of traffic by TMTM amounted to 2.7 million tons. We aim to raise cargo transportation along the TMTM route to 10 million tons in the medium term.

- What importance do you place on developing the China-Europe route?

- Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus have established a continental railway "bridge" linking East and West, operated by UTLC, a single operator. Over 10 years, this route has accommodated more than 4 million TEUs. Despite the shifting geopolitical landscape, this route continues to show positive dynamics and remains crucial for transit traffic development.

- Pilot trains have recently travelled through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on the route between Iran and China. What are the prospects and development plans for this route?

- The railway route between Iran and China passing through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan holds significant potential.

The pilot train's departure ceremony on July 21, 2024, marked a significant milestone in restoring the transport corridor and enhancing international trade relations among the route participants.

The Iran-Kazakhstan-China route shortens cargo delivery times significantly, compared to sea routes, and creates new opportunities for international trade.

In April 2024, in Beijing, representatives of China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran agreed on the terms and tariff rates for the China-Iran corridor.

As a result of the agreements reached, two container trains have already crossed the Bolashak International Railway Crossing: one heading to Iran and the other to China.

The plans involve both increasing the number of trains and expanding the variety of goods transported, thereby boosting the economic benefits of this route.

To systematically address infrastructure issues, JSC NC KTZ has approved a program to increase the capacity of the existing railway infrastructure until 2030, which defines the volume of repairs, current maintenance, infrastructure modernization and construction of new tracks.

To expand the capacity of the main transit routes, the construction of 4 infrastructure projects has been launched.

In the Chinese direction, projects are being implemented for the construction of the Dostyk – Moynty line, the bypass of Almaty and the third Bakhty-Ayagoz crossing.

The construction of the second tracks on the Dostyk – Moynty section will quintuple its capacity, while a new branch bypassing Almaty will cut goods delivery time by one day.

In order to attract additional volumes towards the countries of Central Asia, the construction of the Darbaza–Maktaaral railway line was launched in November 2023.

These infrastructure projects were included in the National Infrastructure Plan until 2029, approved by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.