As part of the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) is implementing new logistics solutions aimed at accelerating container shipping and improving the synchronization of rail and sea flows. In the first quarter of 2026, 125 container trains were transported along the route, a 34.4% increase compared to the same period last year.
Since January 2026, the TITR has been using a new train formation model based on the “4:3” and “3:2” principles, allowing trains to be assembled directly for shiploads without additional cargo accumulation. This approach reduces processing time and improves the coordination of rail and sea shipments. Twenty-eight container train shipments have already been completed on key routes, including Absheron, Poti, Tbilisi, Mersin, and Izmit.
At the same time, the geography of the freight base is expanding: in addition to Xi’an, which accounted for approximately 50% of shipments in 2025, new industrial centers of China – Zhengzhou, Yiwu, Hefei, Wuhan, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, as well as Dongjiazhen and Jinan – are being connected to the route. KTZ notes a steady increase in interest from Chinese manufacturing and trade clusters and plans to scale up new train formation models to ensure regular shipments throughout the year.