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May 28, 20261
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Kazakhstan Plans to Increase Container Traffic on Middle Corridor to 10 Million Tons by 2030
Kazakhstan plans to increase container traffic along the Middle Corridor to 10 million metric tons by 2030, up from current volumes of 4.5 million tons. The vice minister of national economy announced this ambitious target at the Eurasian Economic Forum, citing ongoing infrastructure modernization and expansion of Kazakhstan's role as a key logistics hub.
Quick Facts
Who
Asan Darbayev (Vice Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan)
What
Increase container traffic along Middle Corridor
When
By 2030
Where
Middle Corridor / Trans-Caspian International Transport Route
- Increase container traffic along Middle Corridor
- Modernize Caspian Sea port infrastructure
- Expand railway capacity
- Develop transit potential
- Asan Darbayev (Vice Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan)
Kazakhstan is targeting a significant expansion of cargo transport along the Middle Corridor, with plans to increase container traffic to 10 million metric tons annually by 2030, according to Vice Minister of National Economy Asan Darbayev. Speaking at the Eurasian Economic Forum in Astana on May 28, Darbayev highlighted the corridor's importance as a key example of successful coordination in the transport and logistics sector.
The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, has already demonstrated substantial growth in recent years. Traffic volumes have increased more than fivefold over the past seven years, rising from 800,000 tons to 4.5 million tons. This growth underscores the corridor's emerging role in international trade and regional connectivity.
To achieve the ambitious 2030 target, Kazakhstan is undertaking comprehensive infrastructure modernization efforts. The vice minister emphasized ongoing upgrades to Caspian Sea port facilities, expansion of railway capacity, and development of the country's transit capabilities. These investments position Kazakhstan as a central Eurasian logistics hub connecting major trade regions.
The Middle Corridor provides a strategic trade route linking China with European markets through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. For Kazakhstan, development of this corridor represents a matter of strategic economic importance, offering opportunities to strengthen its position in regional and global supply chains.
Topics
Why This Matters
Kazakhstan's plan to triple Middle Corridor traffic by 2030 represents a strategic pivot in Eurasian trade infrastructure, directly affecting supply chain efficiency between Asia and Europe. For businesses relying on trans-continental logistics, this expansion offers reduced transit times and costs; for Kazakhstan, it strengthens economic leverage as a regional hub. The investment signals confidence in alternative trade routes amid geopolitical shifts, making it critical for investors, logistics firms, and policymakers tracking infrastructure modernization in Central Asia.
Timeline & Sources
May 28, 2026
WireVice Minister Darbayev announces 10 million ton target at Eurasian Economic Forum; current traffic at 4.5 million tons
Jan 1, 2030
WireTarget date to reach 10 million metric tons of container traffic on Middle Corridor