Rail

JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) is accelerating the process of separating the activities of the infrastructure operator and freight carrier. The Ministry of Transport reported that the delineation of responsibilities and staffing structures is in the active phase. Key stages have been completed: planning and standardization of transportation, process modeling and development of a train formation plan. The traffic schedule has also been approved.

The discussions between the two companies will define the framework for continued cooperation in logistics operations.

In Kazakhstan, construction of the Zhetigen – Kazibek Bek railway line continues, which will reduce the load on the Almaty railway junction by 40% and reduce the delivery time of goods to 24 hours. The project includes the laying of 130 km of tracks, the construction of three separate points, 13 bridges, five railway and one road overpass. The contract for the construction of the line was signed on March 1, 2024.

Poland plays a key role in the Rail Baltica project, which connects Warsaw with Tallinn and integrates the Baltic states into the pan-European rail network. The Polish section of Rail Baltica, which is approximately 400 km long, is undergoing modernization in five stages, most of which have already been completed. The final section is expected to be completed after 2030, which will reduce the travel time from Warsaw to the Lithuanian border from five hours to three.

Head of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) Rovshan Rustamov met with Head of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Office in Azerbaijan Sunniyeh Durrani-Jamal. The parties highly appreciated the successful cooperation and contribution of ADB to the development of the country’s railway infrastructure.

JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and JSC Uzbekistan Temir Yollari held talks on the development of freight rail transportation between the countries. The discussion was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC Uzbekistan Temir Yollari Abdumalik Kamiljanov, Head of JSC KTZ – Freight Transportation Vladimir Petrov and representatives of relevant departments. The main focus was on increasing the volume of transportation, forming freight trains and organizing regular traffic on the China – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan route.

RB Rail AS, representing the ministries of the three Baltic countries in the Rail Baltica project, submitted an application for funding under the CEF-Digital programme on 13 February 2025. The funds are needed for the development and construction of railway radio communications compliant with the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) standard, as well as for ensuring 5G coverage along the European transport network (TEN-T).

The Spanish Alonso Group has acquired a majority stake in the Madrid-based rail company Compañía Europea Ferroviaria (Cefsa). This strategic investment strengthens the group’s position in rail transport on the Iberian Peninsula.

On February 10, the first direct freight train to Afghanistan departed from Chongqing, which will arrive in the city of Hairatan, passing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The train is carrying 55 containers with communications equipment from the Chinese company ZTE, intended for the construction of telecommunications infrastructure in Afghanistan. The travel time will be from 12 to 15 days, and the key border crossing point on the Chinese border will be Khorgos.

ELL Germany and 4PL Central Station have signed a new five-year cooperation agreement in the field of spare parts logistics for ELL’s locomotive fleet throughout Europe. The agreement includes the opening of a new warehouse near Vienna, which will complement the existing hub in Kassel, thereby reducing delivery times and transport costs.