Asia-Europe trade exchanges have continued to heat up, and the China-Europe freight trains have long faced congestion issues in their transit capacity through Central Asia. Kazakhstan, relying on its core location, has continued to increase its investment in railway construction. Two new railways were finalized locally and will be put into operation in November 2026. The project is led by Prime Minister Odzhas Bektenov and is listed as the top transportation project of the year. The two lines will respectively open up southbound and westbound cross-border trunk lines, which can not only divert freight traffic to Uzbekistan and Iran but also establish a new trans-Caspian transport route bypassing Russia. According to official estimates, after the lines are put into operation, the annual transit freight volume is expected to reach 55 million tons, significantly alleviating the pressure on existing lines and solidifying its position as a logistics hub in Central Asia.  

The southbound railway opens up the southbound corridor to Central Asia

The Darabzha-Makhtalal railway, with a total length of 152 kilometers, commenced construction in November 2023. It is the second railway corridor in Kazakhstan connecting to the border of Uzbekistan. The line is integrated into the North-South International Transport Corridor, allowing goods to directly reach countries such as Uzbekistan and Iran. This effectively distributes the transportation load of the old line, shortens the transit time for southbound cross-border goods in Central Asia, complements the shortcomings of the regional southbound logistics infrastructure, and facilitates the efficient passage of the southbound branch of the China-Europe freight trains.

Establishing an alternative route across the Caspian Sea for the westward trunk line

The Moyintkezilzhaer railway, with a mileage exceeding 300 kilometers, connects to the Dostyk-Moyintke main line on the China-Kazakhstan border, serving as an extension line to improve the overall railway network. This line is an important part of the Trans-Caspian Railway, forming a new Asia-Europe freight transportation route that bypasses Russia, adding transportation options for cross-border trade and enhancing the independent allocation capacity of Asia-Europe logistics. Local authorities are simultaneously planning follow-up railway upgrading projects, with multiple institutions collaborating to raise funds and continuously improving cross-border transportation supporting facilities.Keywords:China-Europe Railway Express、Kazakhstan Railways、Cross-border freight transportation

Kazakhstan is located at the core of logistics in Central Asia, where multiple international corridors converge. A large amount of China-Europe freight trains pass through the country for transshipment. The completion of two new railways will further enhance its advantage as a transshipment hub and accelerate the development of regional cross-border trade.Editor/Min Jing