Cargo transport via Trans-Caspian route doubles in 2023 - KTZ

ALMATY. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Cargo transportation via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) in 2023 totaled 2.8 million tonnes, a 90% increase over 2022, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Logistics of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ, Kazakhstan Railways) Erlan Koishybaev said.

"Cargo transport via the TITR in 2023 reached 2.8 million tonnes, an increase of 86% compared to 2022. Today, the route offers a competitive delivery time, an average of 12 days. In the medium term, we are interested in increasing the volume of cargo transportation along the corridor to 10 million tonnes," Koishybaev said.

The KTZ press service said that an international roundtable was held in Astana with the participation of representatives of Azerbaijan Railways and major Kazakh exporters. The advantages and opportunities of TITR were discussed at the event.

World Bank forecasts say that the volume of freight traffic along the TITR could triple 2021 levels and reach 11 million tonnes by 2030. It is expected that by 2030, container cargo volumes will reach 4.074 million tonnes (35.8% share of total cargo traffic versus 22.7% in 2021), which is 2.5 times higher than in 2021. Transportation of oil and petroleum products will reach 3.553 million tonnes (31.2% share versus 30% in 2021), which is 3.2 times higher than in 2021.

The international transport route, also known as the "Middle Corridor," is an international transport corridor that runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and further west to Turkey and Europe. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, now in operation, is part of the corridor.