BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 23. Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan discussed prospects for increasing cargo transportation
along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or
Middle Corridor).


This was announced by the press service of the Kazakh
government, following the meeting between PM Olzhas Bektenov and
Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov which took place during
a visit to the Aktau International Sea Trade Port.


''The visit took place as part of the Joint Intergovernmental
Commission on Bilateral Cooperation between Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan. The prime ministers toured the port's territory and
reviewed its infrastructure and cargo-handling facilities,'' the
press service says.


According to the Kazakh government, the Aktau International Sea
Trade Port is Kazakhstan's largest seaport and one of the key hubs
of the Middle Corridor. Covering an area of 44 hectares, the port
has an annual cargo handling capacity of about 12 million tons and
provides year-round shipping services to the Caucasus, Central Asia
and the Caspian region.


Bektenov noted that the development of maritime infrastructure
remains one of the government's priorities. He said Kazakhstan
completed dredging works at the Kuryk port in 2025, becoming the
first Caspian state to do so, while similar works at the Aktau port
are expected to be completed by the end of this year. The project
is expected to allow fully loaded vessels to enter the port safely,
increase throughput capacity and support further expansion of port
infrastructure.


Chairman of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) Yelzhas Otynshiyev said
the combined capacity of the Aktau and Kuryk ports currently stands
at around 22 million tons per year.


He added that container transit via Kazakhstan's Caspian ports
along the Middle Corridor increased 3.8-fold between 2022 and 2025.
To support further growth, Kazakhstan is expanding port capacity
and upgrading railway infrastructure.







The first phase of the Aktau container hub, with an annual
capacity of 140,000 TEUs, has already been commissioned. Following
completion of the second phase in 2027–2028, total capacity will
increase to 240,000 TEUs. Kazakhstan has also ordered six container
vessels, four of which are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and two
in 2028.


Meanwhile, modernization of the Shalkar–Beyneu and
Beyneu–Mangystau railway sections is nearing completion, which is
expected to improve cargo deliveries to the Aktau and Kuryk
ports.


The government also noted that cargo handling volumes from
Uzbekistan through the Aktau and Kuryk ports increased by more than
60% in 2025, supported by competitive tariffs and the development
of railway and port infrastructure.


''President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches priority importance
to the development of maritime and railway infrastructure. The
Mangystau region is a strategically important border region with
significant transit and logistics potential. Our task is to provide
Central Asian cargo with fast and reliable access to the markets of
the Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe. Kazakhstan is ready to expand the
transit of Uzbekistan's export cargo through the ports of Aktau and
Kuryk,'' Bektenov said.


Following the visit, the prime ministers instructed Kazakhstan
Temir Zholy and Uzbekistan Temir Yullari to develop a joint plan to
increase transportation volumes along the route.