Intermodal

During his January visit to China D.M. Kozhakhmetov, Acting General Director of KTZ Express JSC, sponsor of a number of key documents aimed at in-depth cooperation and strengthening logistics ties with leading transport and logistics companies in China. One of the important agreements was a partnership with the largest logistics company China Logistics Group, focused on rail and road transportation, as well as managing a network of logistics hubs in all provinces of China. The agreement is focused on the development of transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and includes agreements on information systems. In addition, a memorandum on Singapore was signed with the leading logistics company in Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu International Rail Freight Express, with a focus on developing a multimodal service combining rail and air transportation along the Lianyungang – Almaty – Istanbul route.

On January 24th, a delegation led by Nurmatov, Deputy Governor of Jizak Oblast in Uzbekistan, visited Neptune Logistics Group’s Shenzhen headquarters. The delegation was warmly received by Monica Ye, Director and Senior Director of Operations, Chency Shi, Director of the Group’s Key Account Centre, Misha Cai, Head of the Group’s Project Logistics Department, and relevant team leaders, at the behest of Bonnie Zhu, Chairman and General Manager of Neptune Logistics Group.

From January 22-26, KAZLOGISTICS orchestrated a productive business trip to China in collaboration with the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing. The delegation engaged in a comprehensive agenda in Beijing, including meetings with the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing and the Supply Chain Group. In Lianyungang, a strategic memorandum of cooperation was signed between KAZLOGISTICS and the International Freight Railway Express Alliance, following discussions with the Port Group Lianyungang and a visit to the Sino-Kazakh Logistics Cooperation Base. The delegation continued its journey in Qingdao, holding discussions with the prominent logistics company WORLD JAGUAR LOGISTICS and exploring the Central Asian Goods Exhibition Center in the SCO zone.

The meeting of the coordinators of the Social Partnership project and a representative of the industry partner – STC “KAZLOGISTICS” in Astana on January 25 focused on analyzing the results of the project for 2023 and preparing for the upcoming audit in June. Key points were discussed, including the achievement of project indicators, prospects for continuation in the next stages, participation in events in Bishkek and Astana, as well as the development of a set of documents on social partnership for KAZLOGISTICS members. There are also plans to prepare a video meeting on cooperation between IBU+IHK+KAZLOGISTICS on February 22.

“The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route” (TITR) plans to transport 4 million tons of cargo this year. The round table, including representatives of financial institutions, the global multimodal digital platform DTC Global and shippers from Kazakhstan and Turkey, discussed trends, challenges and prospects for the development of TMTM, within the framework of which plans and tariffs for the current year were approved, as well as steps to intensify activities and prospects for expanding routes were outlined.

Brussels played host to the Global Gateway Investment Forum on January 29-30, 2024, dedicated to bolstering EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity. The forum aimed at advancing the transformation of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) into a cutting-edge, competitive, and sustainable pathway linking Europe and Central Asia.

The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity kicked off in Brussels, uniting stakeholders from governments, financing institutions, businesses, and civil society across Europe, Central Asia, and beyond. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced a substantial commitment of €10 billion from European and international financial institutions to support sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia. This initiative is particularly crucial in light of the urgency to establish reliable trade routes between Europe and Asia, avoiding transit through Russia, emphasized by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kombiverkehr KG has enhanced the flexibility of intermodal transports between Germany and Turkey/Greece, effective January. The Munich-Trieste route now offers an increased departure frequency, rising from three to five weekly round trips. Departures from Munich occur on Wednesdays and Fridays, while those from the Trieste terminal (operated by Samer Seaports & Terminals) take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This strategic adjustment allows seamless ferry connections from Trieste to Pendik, Mersin, Cesme in Turkey, and Patras in Greece, streamlining the process with continuous bookings in a one-stop shop approach. Kombiverkehr ensures additional connecting services from Munich-Riem to destinations within Germany and various terminals in Benelux, the UK, Poland, Norway, and Sweden, accommodating the transport of hazardous goods with minimal restrictions, excluding class 1 and 7 dangerous goods. The routes also permit loading unit profiles, including trailers with a P400 profile.

EcoVadis, a renowned global provider of independent sustainability ratings, has once again bestowed gold status upon the Rhenus Group in its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rankings. Rhenus excelled in assessments related to the environment, employment and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement, securing a high overall score of 73 out of 100 points. This places the international logistics specialist among the top percentile of assessed service providers in the logistics sector.

Important prospects for the development of the transport industry in Kazakhstan were discussed at a meeting between Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastaev and the external International Financial Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group. The parties focused on 36 key projects covering the areas of railway and sea transport, aviation, and road reconstruction. To implement these ambitious plans in the next five years, the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan estimates the need for investments of about 40 billion dollars, involving in cooperation such global players as the ports of Abu Dhabi, the port of Lianyungang, PSA, FESCO, COSCO Shipping, Rhenus, SOVICO, Terminal Holding , TAV Holding and others.