The Caspian Sea is strengthening Kazakhstan’s role in global logistics, with the seaports of Aktau, Kuryk, and the Northern Terminal becoming key hubs linking Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. According to Dauren Kutpanbayev, Acting Chairman of the Board of JSC NC Aktau International Sea Trade Port, ports today are more than just berths, but strategic points of synchronization between the sea, rail, and merchant fleet, ensuring the stability and efficiency of transportation.
The combined capacity of Kazakhstan’s Caspian ports reaches 21.6 million tons per year, but growing transit flows require new solutions. A number of large-scale projects are underway in Aktau: the reconstruction of berths No. 3 and No. 12, dredging operations, and the construction of a modern container hub worth 43.4 billion tenge. The new terminal will increase the port’s throughput capacity to 240,000 TEUs in the initial phase, and to 960,000 TEUs per year after the expansion is completed. Concurrently, plans include developing 120 hectares of portside land and constructing nine new berths.
Dauren Kutpanbayev notes that digitalization is becoming an important part of development: online tariff calculators, smart contracts, and cargo tracking systems are being implemented. These steps will make port operations more transparent and convenient.
“Aktau should become Kazakhstan’s gateway to the Caspian Sea and an important link in global routes. We are creating a modern logistics ecosystem capable of ensuring sustainable growth in the country’s transit potential,” he emphasized.