China-Europe freight train services operated 20,022 trips in 2025, representing a 3.2% increase compared with the previous year, according to the latest statistics from China Railway. Total volumes reached more than 2.05 million TEUs, although this marked a 1.3% decline year on year.
KTZ Express, a freight transport operator and subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, has summarized the results of 2025, recording significant growth along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Export shipments along the TITR increased by 71%, while transit shipments increased by 15%. The operator’s share of total container transit through Kazakhstan was 36%, accounting for 100% of container shipments on the Middle Corridor and China-Iran routes, and 68% on the China-Central Asian route. The average delivery time along the TITR has been reduced by 2-3 days compared to 2024: cargo transit from Xi’an dry port to Baku takes 10-12 days, to Poti 15-18 days, to Istanbul 20-22 days, and to Budapest 22-24 days.
The Uzbek-Chinese joint venture UTK International Logistics Co. Ltd. organized the first container train service between China and Tajikistan. The project, implemented with the participation of JSC UztemirYulKonteyner, is a practical step toward strengthening transport and logistics cooperation between Central Asian countries.
DHL Group and JD.com signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at supporting German brands’ entry into the Chinese market and strengthening their position in Europe through the new Joybuy retail platform. The signing took place at JD.com’s headquarters in Beijing. The partnership envisages the development of joint logistics and e-commerce initiatives, integrating DHL’s global infrastructure and JD.com’s digital ecosystem.
On February 19, the Final Annual General Meeting of the Kazakhstan Transport Workers’ Union “KAZLOGISTICS” was held in Astana. The meeting summarized the results of 2025 and identified priorities for the next period. The meeting was chaired by Talgat Aldybergenov, Head of the Union and Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. Representatives of government agencies, industry associations, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, heads of working groups by modes of transport, as well as Union members and the business community, participated in the event.
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 visit to Tajikistan, Talgat Aldybergenov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Railways, held talks with Komil Mirzoali, Head of the Tajik Railways. The parties noted the steady growth in freight traffic: by the end of 2025, freight turnover between the countries increased by 15.1%, reaching 5.9 million tons. Export shipments from Kazakhstan increased by 7.6%, reaching 2.6 million tons, with grain, flour, petroleum products, ferrous metals, non-ferrous ores, and vegetable oil remaining the key cargoes.
On February 16, 2026, a working meeting with representatives of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Expertise France was held at the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association office in Astana. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation within the framework of the new European Union program to develop the potential of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, implemented with financial support from European institutions, as well as relevant agencies in Germany and France.
Negotiations between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan focused on significantly increasing rail freight traffic between the two countries. The parties discussed expanding capacity at key border crossings, which play a key role in regional logistics chains and transit.
The Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan held talks with the head of the transport department of Uzbekistan on expanding transit potential and developing railway cooperation. The meeting was held as part of efforts to increase Kazakhstan’s transit traffic to 55 million tonnes. The parties noted the strategic role of rail traffic between the countries in strengthening trade and economic ties, international transit, and regional transport integration.
