19 million tonnes of freight was transported through Kazakhstan in 2018.
Kazakhstan, being located between China and the European Union, can benefit significantly from transit freight. The country’s leadership has been working towards to create the necessary infrastructure so that Kazakhstan becomes a key point for transit freight between China and Europe.
Currently the majority of exports from China are delivered through the ‘southern route’, via the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans; transit time is approximately 40-45 days.
The land route through Kazakhstan can reduce transit time by a third.
The head of transit and transport logistics development at the Kazakh Ministry of Investments and Development believes that the country can attract more exporters and freight forwarders to choose the land route.s
This route starts from China, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and all the way to Europe, the so-called ‘northern route’.
“Transit through Kazakhstan is 2-3 times faster by rail and ten times cheaper compared to air transport,” he told Kazakh TV.