Within the framework of the work of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, the heads of government Olzhas Bektenov and Abdulla Aripov visited the Aktau International Sea Trade Port. The Prime Ministers conducted a tour of the territory, inspected the infrastructure and port capacities of the enterprise.

The Aktau International Sea Trade Port is the largest sea hub in Kazakhstan and one of the key facilities of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The enterprise with a total area of 44 hectares is capable of handling up to about 12 million tons of cargo per year and ensures year-round transportation in the direction of the Caucasus countries, Central Asia, and the Caspian region.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that, on the instruction of the Head of State, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan pays priority attention to the development of the sea infrastructure of the region. In 2025, Kazakhstan became the first among the Caspian littoral states to complete dredging works in the water area of Kuryk Port. A similar project in the Aktau Port is planned to be completed by the end of this year, which will ensure safe entry of fully loaded vessels, increase throughput capacity, and create conditions for the further expansion of port capacities.

Chairman of the Board of the national company “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” Yelzhas Otynshiyev reported that the total capacity of the infrastructure of the Aktau and Kuryk ports is about 22 million tons per year. Steady growth is observed in the container transportation segment. In 2022-2025, container transit along the TITR through Kazakh ports increased 3.8 times. To further increase transportation volumes, port capacities are being consistently expanded and railway approaches are being modernized. In the Aktau Port, the first stage of a container hub with a capacity of 140 thousand TEU per year has been put into operation; after the implementation of the second stage in 2027-2028, its total capacity will increase to 240 thousand TEU. To expand sea transportation, orders have been placed for the construction of six container ships, four of which are planned to be delivered in 2027 and two more in 2028. At the same time, the modernization of railway infrastructure on the Shalkar – Beineu and Beineu – Mangystau sections is being completed, which will ensure uninterrupted cargo delivery to the Aktau and Kuryk ports.

Special attention is paid to increasing the competitiveness of transportation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Thus, the volume of cargo handling from Uzbekistan through the Aktau and Kuryk ports in 2025 increased by more than 60%. Favorable tariff conditions have been created for shippers, and the developed railway and port infrastructure allows reducing delivery times.

“The Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pays priority attention to the development of sea and railway infrastructure. The Mangystau Region is a strategic border region with high transit and logistics potential. Our task is to ensure a fast and reliable exit for the cargo of Central Asian countries to the markets of the Caucasus, Turkey, and Europe. Kazakhstan is ready to expand the transit of Uzbekistan’s export cargo through the Aktau and Kuryk ports,” emphasized Olzhas Bektenov.

The Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan instructed JSC “NC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” jointly with JSC “Uzbekiston Temir Yullari” to develop a specific plan to increase transportation volumes.

#Olzhas Bektenov #International Cooperation #Logistics #Transport

• 
• 
• 
•