Frank Shao, Owner of TIEDADA GROUP, which was founded in 2014 and has been actively involved in the freight forwarding business for the past 10 years, said that amid geopolitical challenges, there is a growing awareness of the safety, efficiency and future potential of land transport.
Following the recent epidemic period, we have witnessed price fluctuations in sea and land logistics, including rail and road transport. The Red Sea incident further highlighted the importance of considering land transport, which appears to be relatively stable compared to sea transport. This shift has prompted logistics companies, rail operators, freight forwarders and traders to rethink their strategies, pointing to a new era of overland transportation in the next decade.
Kazakhstan occupies a key position, serving as a bridge between East Asia and Europe. Thanks to its extensive network of railways and roads, Kazakhstan provides a variety of transport routes. Moreover, recent developments such as the creation of new corridors between China and Kazakhstan highlight the importance of the region for cargo heading to Europe, offering a reduction in transit times to three to five days.
“Kazakhstan’s trading position is strategically advantageous, offering stability and balanced investment opportunities compared to ocean-dependent regions. Thanks to favorable trade conditions, optimized customs and investment policies, Kazakhstan is becoming an ideal place for business development. Over the next decade, Kazakhstan’s trade position is expected to grow significantly, especially on transit trade routes linking Europe and Asia through Kazakhstan,” noted Frank Shao.
Tiedada specializes in rail and land transport and, as the first company to establish last-mile rail operations into Europe, has expanded its operations to focus on Asia and Russia, with branches strategically located along rail platforms in China, Moscow, Warsaw and Duisburg.
Tiedada operates under different brands, each focusing on specific aspects of the logistics industry. From blockchain-based forwarding and space control with Tiedada to container trading with Boxescn, the company’s diverse portfolio also includes ERP solutions and trade services in Kazakhstan with BuyBig.
Frank Shao presented the newest Central Runways service and the upcoming consolidation of freight and rail services from Xi’an, which began in April 2024. The company’s digital capabilities allow you to calculate prices online, book and manage delivery. All this is available through mobile devices and PCs on the main portal tiedada.com. With more than 30 CFS (Container Freight Stations) stations throughout China, they provide convenient handling and transportation of cargo to Chengdu and Xi’an for continental distribution.
Tiedada is actively using its position in the border area, negotiating with Chinese and Kazakh customs to allow direct entry across the border for Chinese trucks, thereby optimizing customs clearance and significantly reducing transit time. They are also exploring opportunities for economic satisfaction through fast cross-border channels and collaborating with financial institutions to develop logistics solutions for e-commerce and road transport.
Negotiations are underway with Chinese automakers to facilitate the transportation of wagons to Kazakhstan, which will ensure efficient unloading and storage in their border area based on received orders. Tiedada is also setting up assembly plants under the COWTA brand, producing a variety of vehicles tailored to the needs of Kazakhstan.
“In addition to trading agencies and brokerage services, we offer support to Chinese traders and factories wishing to invest in Kazakhstan, providing advice on local regulations, tax laws and payment methods. Exploring opportunities such as cross-border letter of credit transactions aims to simplify trade processes for large projects and traders, facilitating trade with Kazakhstan and third countries.
This transition from freight forwarders to service-oriented companies demonstrates our commitment to providing comprehensive logistics support and reflects our continuous development and ability to adapt to market demands,” concluded Frank Shao.