BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Kazakhstan and China
discussed the launch of the Aktau International Container Hub
during talks between transport officials in China.
This was reflected in a press release published by Kazakhstan
Temir Zholy (KTZ) following a meeting between KTZ Chairman Talgat
Aldybergenov and Lianyungang Mayor Zhou Jin.
"The parties discussed the development of joint logistics
projects and the expansion of investment cooperation, and
reaffirmed their readiness to launch the Aktau International
Container Hub," the report says.
The press release notes that all preparatory work for
establishing Aktau International Container Hub LLP has been
completed, with the start of operations scheduled before the end of
June.
Particular attention was paid to integrating the Port of
Lianyungang, the Khorgos Gateway Dry Port and the Aktau container
hub into a unified logistics system. According to KTZ, this will
enable seamless cargo transportation from the Yellow Sea coast
through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea to the markets of the
Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe.
"For more than ten years of cooperation with the Port of
Lianyungang, we have built a solid foundation for developing new
international transport routes. Today, our common task is not only
to increase transportation volumes, but also to create a modern,
sustainable and competitive logistics system that ensures efficient
connectivity between Asia and Europe," Aldybergenov said.
According to the press release, the parties reaffirmed their
commitment to further developing international transport corridors
and strengthening Kazakhstan and China's roles as key logistics
partners across Eurasia.
For reference, Kazakhstan and China have built one of the
closest transport partnerships in Central Asia, with cooperation
centered on cross-border rail infrastructure and the Trans-Caspian
International Transport Route (Middle Corridor). Landmark joint
projects include the logistics terminal at the Chinese port of
Lianyungang, launched in 2014, and the Khorgos Gateway dry port on
the Kazakh-Chinese border, which has become a major Eurasian
transshipment hub. Kazakhstan aims to increase annual transit
volumes to 74 million tons by 2030, while cargo traffic along the
Middle Corridor more than doubled from less than 1.5 million tons
in 2022 to over 3.3 million tons in 2024, reflecting the route's
growing role in Asia-Europe trade.
