Kazakhstan Advances the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor at Third National Workshop

Astana, 2 June 2026 – The Third National Workshop of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) Coordination Platform brought together government representatives, international financial institutions, development partners, transport operators and private sector stakeholders to review progress achieved since the Investors Forum in Tashkent and discuss the next phase of corridor development. The event was organized within the framework of the European Union-funded project “Technical Support for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor – Coordination Platform Central Asia".

Co-chaired by Talgat Lastayev, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and H.E. Ms. Aleška Simkić, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the workshop reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strategic role in the development of the TCTC linking Central Asia and Europe. 

Strong Momentum for Corridor Development

Participants reviewed Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts to expand the capacity and efficiency of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor through major investments in railway, road and maritime infrastructure, as well as digitalization and trade facilitation measures. Kazakhstan reported that freight volumes on the corridor reached 4.1 million tonnes in 2025, with ambitious plans to increase throughput to 10 million tonnes by 2030. 

Among the flagship initiatives highlighted were:

• Expansion and modernization of the national railway network, including the completion of the Dostyk–Moyynty second-track project and ongoing works on key railway corridors. 
• Development of the Aktau and Kuryk ports, including new container handling facilities and ferry infrastructure upgrades. 
• Expansion of the Caspian fleet through new container vessels and next-generation rail and Ro-Ro ferry solutions. 
• Implementation of digital tools such as the Smart CARGO platform and the Digital Trade Corridor platform, designed to improve operational efficiency and cargo tracking. 

International Financial Institutions Deepen Support

Representatives of the EBRD, World Bank Group, EIB, ADB, AIIB and KfW presented ongoing and planned investments supporting the corridor’s growth. Discussions focused on the preparation of bankable projects, financing mechanisms and coordinated approaches to project development. 

Notable updates included:

• The Aktau Port Modernisation Project, supported by the EBRD and the European Union, which will increase the port’s container handling capacity from 80,000 to 240,000 TEU annually. 
• Progress on major railway and road investments aimed at eliminating bottlenecks and strengthening regional connectivity.
• Enhanced cooperation between development partners to mobilize financing and accelerate project implementation across the corridor. 

Advancing Soft Connectivity

The workshop also highlighted the importance of complementing infrastructure investments with reforms that improve trade, customs and transport procedures. EU-funded initiatives implemented by GIZ, Expertise France, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) showcased efforts to strengthen regulatory harmonization, digital data exchange, trade facilitation and professional capacity development across Central Asia. 

Participants agreed that improving corridor competitiveness requires not only physical infrastructure but also seamless cross-border procedures, interoperable digital systems and stronger regional cooperation. 

New Projects and Private Sector Engagement

The final session featured new project proposals from public and private sector stakeholders, including road and port infrastructure projects, multimodal logistics terminals and digital transport solutions. Private companies presented initiatives aimed at expanding logistics capacity, maritime services and freight rolling stock, demonstrating growing private sector interest in supporting the long-term development of the corridor. 

Looking Ahead

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continue developing investment-ready projects, strengthening international cooperation and enhancing the role of the Coordination Platform as a mechanism for dialogue and project preparation. Participants emphasized that the successful development of the TCTC will require sustained collaboration between governments, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector. 

As the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor enters a new stage of development, Kazakhstan remains at the forefront of efforts to build a resilient, efficient and sustainable transport corridor connecting Europe and Asia under the EU Global Gateway framework.