Fuel, electricity and labour costs behind new KTZ cargo fee hikes

Higher fuel, electricity and labour costs are forcing Kazakh Railways’ cargo division (KTZ-GP) to increase its prices. Indebted Kazakh Railways (KTZ) is increasing its prices all across the board, to the dismay of the business community. KTZ is deeply in debt and needs higher income to cover its budget gaps. Even with a fourfold revenue…

Tajikistan looking for 7,5 billion dollars in funding for rail

Tajikistan seems to be hopping onto the bandwagon for rail infrastructure in Central Asia. The country is looking for 7,5 billion dollars (7 billion euros) in investments for its rail network. The Tajik rail infrastructure is underdeveloped yet crucial for the country’s international trade. At an economic forum in the Russian city of Kazan, the…

Middle Corridor countries discussing 50% tariff discount

The Middle Corridor is too expensive as a competitive alternative to other transport corridors that connect Europe and China. In an effort to boost the route’s attractiveness, involved countries are now discussing a fifty per cent discount on tariffs along the route. Five countries that are part of the Middle Corridor are currently taking part…

Kazakhstan to introduce AI and build 5 border hubs by 2030

Kazakhstan intends to expand its logistics infrastructure by five more transport hubs. The hubs are supposed to expand the capacity of the Eurasian transport network. The Central Asian country also plans to introduce AI into its rail operations and expand its railway infrastructure. At a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, Kazakh president Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev…

What spurs the international effort to bridge Afghanistan via rail?

Countries in Afghanistan’s vicinity have grown an interest in developing its rail infrastructure. More and more projects are being launched, or are at the very least being considered, that would elevate the country to an international “rail bridge” to the Indian Ocean. What are these projects, and what motivates these countries? As the desert dust…

What spurs the international effort to bridge Afghanistan via rail?

Countries in Afghanistan’s vicinity have grown an interest in developing its rail infrastructure. More and more projects are being launched, or are at the very least being considered, that would elevate the country to an international “rail bridge” to the Indian Ocean. What are these projects, and what motivates these countries? As the desert dust…

The Middle Corridor remains too expensive as an alternative China-Europe route

The Middle Corridor, a multimodal China-Europe freight route through Central Asia, has garnered international interest as a potential alternative to transporting freight through Russia. Illustratively, the EU has allocated 10 billion euros for its development. The corridor remains too expensive to become a route of preference, explains Roland Verbraak, general manager of BTTMultimodalGroup. BTT, a…

Kazakhstan, China and Russia building transport hub near Moscow

Kazakhstan, China and Russia have started building a joint transport hub. The hub will be built at the Selyatino station in Russia’s Moscow region. The hub is supposed to improve transport links between Russia and the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi’an, China. Earlier this year, the Russian firm Slavtrans signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakh…

Kazakh Railways once again requests higher track access charges: 20,3% increase

Kazakh Railways (KTZ) has once again requested approval for an increase of track access charges. The request for a 20,3 per cent increase comes after the loss-making rail company saw an earlier price hike cancelled by the government. According to the Association of Kazakh rail freight carriers, KTZ is insisting on a 20,3 per cent…