Kazakhstan to Expand International Rail Network with New Terminals

Kazakhstan Temir Joly (KTZ) head Nurlan Sauranbayev reported record growth in rail operations during a meeting with President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, outlining ambitious expansion plans for the national railway company.

During the meeting, Sauranbayev highlighted significant achievements in 2024, including freight turnover reaching 272 billion ton-kilometers and record cargo transport through Kazakhstan-China connections totaling 32 million tons - a 13.1% increase.

Container transit also saw an 8.8% rise, reaching 1.4 million units.

The company's expansion includes over 1,000 kilometers of new rail lines under construction, with significant projects along the Dostyq-Moiynty and Darbaza-Maktaaral routes.

KTZ is also establishing an international presence with terminals in multiple countries - a recently opened facility in Xi'an, China, and new terminals under construction in Almaty, Budapest, Azerbaijan's Alyat, and Russia's Selyatino.

Together with our Chinese partner, the port of Lianyungang, we have begun construction of a container hub in the port of Aqtau, noted Nurlan Sauranbayev.

Toqayev emphasized these developments as crucial for strengthening Kazakhstan's position as a key transit hub in Eurasia.

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