German President visits Port Kuryk to evaluate TITR logistics initiatives
German President and Kazakh Prime Minister Visit Port of Kuryk to Assess Transport and Logistics Projects
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov recently visited the port of Kuryk in Kazakhstan to assess the transport and logistics projects of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). The visit, which took place on June 21, aimed to evaluate the development of the TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, which serves as the shortest transportation route from Central and Eastern Asia to Europe.
Kuryk is located south of the port of Aktau on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. It is set to play a crucial role in the expansion of the TITR, as approximately 80% of goods from China and Central Asia are currently shipped via Kazakhstan. Most of these goods are transported through the Northern route, which passes through Russia and Belarus.
During the visit, Steinmeier highlighted the need to expand the Middle Corridor in order to ensure reliable transport conditions. Kuryk’s port, which includes a ferry complex and new Sarzha multifunctional marine terminal facilities, was developed in 2017 to support the transportation and logistics projects of the TITR.
The delegation, led by Steinmeier and Smailov, toured the port and assessed investment projects, including the Sarzha terminal. Despite having an annual throughput capacity of six million tons, both Kuryk and the larger port of Aktau only transshipped approximately 1.7 million tons of cargo in 2022. However, there has been a 64% increase in freight traffic in the first five months of this year.
Kazakhstan aims to increase the transshipment capacity along the TITR to ten million tons in the mid-term and is ready to offer its port facilities to German and European partners. The total throughput capacity of Aktau and Kuryk ports exceeds 20 million tons.
Germany has also expressed interest in participating in transport and logistics projects in Kazakhstan. Steinmeier emphasized the importance of reconsidering the links between East and West, as well as Asia and Europe, in light of geopolitical developments. He emphasized the need for large-scale projects in the energy sector, where Kazakhstan and Germany have significant opportunities.
In conclusion, the visit of the German Federal President and the Kazakh Prime Minister to the port of Kuryk highlights the growing importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and Kazakhstan’s role as a key transportation hub between Central and Eastern Asia and Europe. The visit also underscores the potential for collaboration and investment in the development of transport and logistics projects in Kazakhstan’s energy sector.
