Comprehensive measures taken in recent years to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) have contributed to a significant increase in cargo traffic. In the first seven months of 2024, about 4.2 million tons of cargo were transported through the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, which is the same as last year. However, the volume of transportation via the TITR increased by 63% and reached 2.5 million tons, with Chinese transit increasing more than 14 times.
According to Kasym Tlepov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Railway and Water Transport of Kazakhstan, this year it is planned to transship up to eight million tons through these ports, of which 4.2 million tons are on the TITR. The 50% increase in imports underlines the interest of European companies in this route, which was made possible by comprehensive measures such as simplifying customs procedures and opening a Kazakh terminal in Xi’an.
According to the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Maritime Infrastructure until 2028, it is planned to create new terminals and modernize the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, which should increase container throughput threefold and reduce cargo handling time at ports by 50%.