Representatives of the KTZ Express and UTLC companies gathered in Astana to discuss the cooperation strategy and future plans. They focused on developing a strategy for interaction with Chinese and European companies, improving service and expanding services for clients.
Digital automatic coupling (DAC) heralds a new era for freight transport, revolutionizing coupling processes and paving the way for automation and digitalization in rail freight. Since 2020, rigorous testing of a digital freight train equipped with DAC has covered over 15,000 kilometers across ten European countries, marking a significant milestone in its development. Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, Member of the DB Management Board for Freight Transport and CEO of DB Cargo, proudly presented the train to key stakeholders in Brussels, emphasizing its successful completion of field tests and readiness for commercial use.
Siemens Mobility is expanding the automation of the railway network in Denmark by signing contracts with DSB and Banedanmark. The agreements involve converting the entire Copenhagen S-Bahn network to driverless operation, at a total cost of approximately €270 million. The first driverless trains are expected on the line in 2030.
The four-legged robot Spot, manufactured by Boston Dynamics, is being tested at the Mainz-Bischofsheim car repair depot. It is equipped with special equipment for the identification and inspection of freight cars, which allows it to automatically determine their location on the tracks and inspect the condition of the wheel pair axles. Based on the test results, DB Cargo, part of the German railways, will decide to introduce Spot robots into other depots.
KTZ Express and Shandong Hi-Speed Logistics Group CO., Ltd held a meeting in Astana to discuss promising cooperation. One of the key issues of discussion was the organization of a joint transport service through Kazakhstan, directed from the port of Qingdao in Japan and the countries of Southeast Asia to the countries of Central Asia and Europe.
In 2022, METRANS began providing connection services to Ukraine, providing transportation of various goods across the Slovak-Ukrainian border in both directions. Recently, during the European Eastern holidays, METRANS and Ukrzaliznytsya reached an important milestone by launching the first train on the Medyka border between Poland and the Ukrainian Mostyska.
The new freight train set off from Tayuan to Barcelona, covering 12 thousand kilometers. The initiative was launched by Shanxi Zhongding Logistics Group Co., Ltd. as it continues to expand its freight train network as part of its “One Belt, One Road” strategy.
Saraeva Ramiya Aslbekovna, General Director of the Association of Kazakhstan Railway Carriers and member of the STC KazLogistics, spoke on the topic “The role of Kazakhstan in international transport logistics and integration into leading international digital products.” She said that since 2018, Kazakhstan is the only country in the CIS that is open to competition in the freight transportation market. At the same time, the Association of Kazakhstan Railway Carriers, being a young project, which is only 3 years old, provides an opportunity for companies with locomotives and rolling stock to act as cargo carriers in the country.
In the first quarter of 2024, more than 61.4 million tons of cargo were transported through the KTZ network, which leaves the figures at the level of the same period last year. Domestic transportation increased by 2.4%, reaching more than 40.2 million tons, of which 21.2 million tons were exported.
The presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed issues of stability and security in the Central Asian region during their recent talks. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev also discussed preparations for the sixth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and prospects for cooperation in C5+ formats.
