Uzbek rail operator announces pilot launch of Afghan-bound freight train via Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

TASHKENT. Sept 19 (Interfax) - A test run of a container train has started on a multimodal freight corridor from China to Afghanistan via Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, Ozbekiston Temmir Yollari (Uzbekistan Railways) stated on Monday.

"For the purpose of developing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan multimodal corridor, a pilot launch has started of a container train on the new transit route," the statement said.

From Kashgar in China to the Kyrgyz city of Osh, cargo is transported by road, then by rail to the Afghan town of Hairatan, it said.

"Uzbekistan gave a 70% discount for transportation through our national territory. The other participating countries granted tariff preferences of up to 50%," the statement said.

The first train's 12 40-Foot containers are carrying foodstuffs and household appliances. The goods were formed into containers on the Chinese side; at Osh, the containers were loaded onto Uzbek-owned well cars. The train is due to reach its point of destination in two days.

Once every nuance of the pilot has been worked out, this multimodal route bound for Afghanistan alone could have a freight turnover of more than 4,000 containers per year, the company said.