Former KTZ Head Nurlan Sauranbayev Appointed Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport

The newly appointed Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, Nurlan Sauranbayev, previously served as Chair of Kazakhstan Temir Joly (KTZ), the national railway operator, from 2021, Orda.kz reports.

Under his leadership, the company reported strong financial performance, large-scale infrastructure development, and modernization of its rolling stock.

Financial Growth and Stability

In 2024, KTZ posted 2.2 trillion tenge in revenue, double the amount in 2020. Net profit rose more than ninefold, from 16 billion to 158 billion tenge. The wage fund also grew from 286 billion to 662 billion tenge. International credit agencies Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P issued positive ratings throughout this period.

Transport and Transit Records

Freight turnover increased to 272 billion ton-kilometers. Transit traffic rose by 33% to 27.5 million tons, with container transit nearly doubling from 876,000 to 1.4 million TEUs. On the China–Russia–China route, traffic grew 14-fold to 512,200 TEUs.

Trains from China along the Trans-Caspian route (TMTM/Middle Corridor) surged 33 times over 2023.

Overall volume with China reached a record 32 million tons.

Modernization and Equipment Upgrades

KTZ added 424 new locomotives and 369 passenger cars. Domestic production was launched at Stadler Kazakhstan, with plans to produce 557 trains by 2030 to fully renew the fleet.

Track repair volumes doubled, reaching over 1,400 km annually. The reconstruction of 125 railway stations is underway, with plans to repair 11,000 km of track by 2029.

Infrastructure Expansion

By 2027, 5,000 km of new and modernized railways are expected. Key projects include second tracks on the Dostyq–Moiynty line (836 km), a bypass near Almaty (75 km), and new lines including Darbaza–Maktaaral, Bakhty–Ayagoz, and Moiynty–Qyzyljar.

International Logistics Network

KTZ expanded its presence internationally with new container terminals in Xi’an, Aktau, and Almaty. Construction continues in ports in Azerbaijan, Russia, and Belarus, bolstering Kazakhstan’s role in Eurasian transit.

Digital Transformation and Safety

The company launched digitalization and safety initiatives in partnership with PSA, Huawei, and Wabtec. These include IT systems, automation, and digital infrastructure across the network.

Under Sauranbayev’s leadership, KTZ positioned itself as a growing regional transport hub with enhanced efficiency, safety, and international reach.

Original Author: Maria Kravtsova