After a weak start to the year in a difficult economic environment, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) closed the first half of 2024 with positive financial results. The company’s revenue increased by 4.6% to €760.3 million, while operating profit (EBIT) increased by 16.8% to €58.9 million. The company’s profit after tax and minority interests amounted to €13.2 million, up €5 million compared to the same period last year.
Speaking at the VI Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of developing the region’s transit and transport potential. He noted the need to adopt a Comprehensive Strategy for the Development of the Central Asian Transport System, including key projects such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the North-South Corridor, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan continue to develop the eastern direction of the international North-South corridor, discussing key projects aimed at increasing cargo flow. Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin and the head of the Turkmen transport agency Mammetkhan Chakyev met in Astana to discuss the construction of the Turgundi-Herat railway, which should strengthen logistics ties with China.
Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev and Hong Kong Legislative Council Representative Frankie Ik Chi-ming held talks in Astana, focusing on developing cooperation in the field of transport and logistics. They discussed the prospects for partnership between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, as well as the exchange of experience in implementing advanced technologies in the transport industry.
The Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, made important statements for the media after the negotiations and the meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council. The main focus of the meeting was on the development of new projects in industry, as well as cooperation in the transport and logistics sector.
The transport ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan met in Astana ahead of the VI Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. During the talks, the issues of developing transit corridors, rail and road transport, as well as air traffic, were discussed. Particular attention was paid to strengthening transport connectivity through the construction of new roads and expansion of air traffic.
PSA International, through its subsidiary PSA Baltics N.V., has acquired 85% of the shares of the Polish intermodal operator Loconi International S.A. from ATC Cargo S.A. The transaction will allow PSA to develop new rail routes, expanding the capacity of European container hubs and offering customers an alternative to road transport.
Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov discussed the expansion of cooperation in the transport sector. The main focus was on increasing the volume of cargo transportation and simplifying transit procedures for cargo and passengers.
The CIS Executive Committee and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) agreed to develop a plan of joint activities for the development of transport corridors until 2030. At the meeting, EEC Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Arzybek Kozhoshev and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the CIS Coordination Transport Conference Gennady Bessonov discussed expanding cooperation within the framework of the Agreement on the coordinated development of international transport corridors in the territory of the CIS and the EAEU.
During the Hong Kong – Kazakhstan briefing, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Union of Transport Workers of Kazakhstan “KAZLOGISTICS” and the Hong Kong Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association (HAFFA). The cooperation is aimed at developing bilateral export-import and transit transportation, increasing the coordination of logistics operations, reducing the time and cost of transportation, and improving the quality of services provided.
