JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy is implementing an automated rail transportation planning system that will eliminate duplicate requests from shippers and the inflated declared volumes. According to the company, more than 30 rolling stock owners have already signed up for the new system. Transportation requests will now be accepted only with confirmation from railcar operators and actual consignees, which should improve planning transparency and the efficiency of infrastructure use.
KTZ notes that the problem of inflated requests is systemic. Over the past three years, shippers declared the transportation of approximately 202.5 million tons of freight, of which only approximately 88 million tons were actually transported, while the company had approved the transportation of 118 million tons. In 2023, 73.6 million tons of freight were declared, 38.2 million tons were approved, and 27.3 million tons were actually transported. In 2024, the figures were 62 million tonnes, 39.3 million tonnes, and 27.5 million tonnes, respectively. In 2025, shippers declared 66.9 million tonnes, agreed upon 41 million tonnes, and actually transported 33 million tonnes.
Thus, approximately a quarter of the declared and agreed volumes were never submitted for transportation, which artificially conserves network capacity and limits access to infrastructure for actual cargo. The company hopes that the new system will ensure a level playing field for market participants, accelerate railcar turnover, and improve the efficiency of the rail network. Full implementation of the platform is planned for completion by the end of 2026 after pilot testing. At the same time, KTZ is reporting growth in international traffic: in 2025, traffic volumes with Russia reached 92 million tonnes (+3.5%), with China 35.6 million tonnes (+11%), and with Uzbekistan 32.3 million tonnes (+16%).