Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Estonia accelerated sharply in 2025, as Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Estonian Railways confirmed plans to deepen logistics cooperation and expand transit flows toward Europe.
During a working meeting, KTZ CEO Talgat Aldybergenov and Estonian Railways CEO Kaido Zimmermann reviewed current operations and outlined strategic priorities for integrating transport networks and optimizing freight flows between Central Asia and European markets.
Rail volumes between the two countries rose 2.1 times year-on-year to 382,400 tonnes. Exports from Kazakhstan accounted for 313,700 tonnes, up 2.6 times compared to 2024, while imports reached 29,700 tonnes, representing a 30.2% increase. The figures underline the growing relevance of the Baltic corridor in Kazakhstan’s westbound trade strategy.
A key focus of the talks was the role of Estonia within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. Both sides highlighted the importance of diversifying export routes to European markets amid shifting geopolitical and supply chain conditions.
Port infrastructure was identified as a critical lever for further growth. The integration of Estonian port capacities into Eurasian rail corridors is expected to enhance cargo handling efficiency and support higher transit volumes.
“The participation of Estonian ports and the integration of their capacities into our transport corridors can ensure additional growth in cargo traffic and enhance the competitiveness of logistics solutions for all market participants,” it was noted during the meeting.
The two rail operators confirmed their intention to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation, including exploring technological solutions aimed at accelerating cargo delivery and improving corridor performance.