Rail checkpoints on the Kazakh-Chinese border have not been sitting still in 2024. That much was already known, especially in light of the severe congestion at the Dostyk border crossing in autumn. Now, annual statistics also confirm that it has been rather busy: 2024 even broke a decade-old volume record at Dostyk.
No less than 18 million tonnes of freight passed by the important Dostyk rail border crossing throughout the past year. The previous record was set in 2013, when the checkpoint processed 17,8 million tonnes of freight.
“The new record not only underlines the importance of the hub for international logistics, but also serves as an inspiring example for further achievements”, Kazakh media write. A few dozen employees got a special award in honour of the milestone.
Growth across the border
On the Chinese side of the border, in Alashankou, there are reports of a total of 7684 freight trains passing through in 2024, which were destined for Europe. That is an increase of 15,8 per cent when compared to 2023.
In total, rail border crossings at the Kazakh-Chinese border processed 32 million tonnes of freight. That is 3,7 million tonnes more than in 2023, an increase of 13,1 per cent. Container transit through Kazakhstan also grew, to 1,4 million TEU. That is 8,8 per cent more than in the year prior.
While the majority of rail freight went through the Dostyk border crossing, it is clear that other checkpoints have not been idling either. Chinese media report that the Khorgos border processed an even larger number of trains than Dostyk: 8730 trains, or 12,5 per cent more than in 2023. Those trains accounted for 12 million tonnes of freight, 11 per cent more than the year before.