Kazakhstan’s Trans-Caspian Container Shipments Surge in 2024
Kazakhstan’s Container Shipments via Trans-Caspian Route Increase 2.7 Times in 2024
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s container shipments via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) saw a significant increase in 2024, reaching 56,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), a 2.7 times growth from the previous year.
The growth in container shipments was discussed during a meeting between Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev and William Thompson, head of the Eurasia Division at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as reported by the Ministry of Trade and Integration on March 13.
Total cargo transportation along the route also experienced a substantial increase, with a 62% growth from the previous year, reaching 4.5 million tons. The China-Europe direction showed the most significant rise, with 35,600 TEU transported—27 times more than in 2023. Kazakhstan aims to further increase transit to 5.2 million tons by 2025, including 70,000 TEU.
During the meeting, Minister Shakkaliyev expressed gratitude to the OECD for supporting Kazakhstan’s efforts in trade integration, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth. The ministry is aligning with OECD standards through strategic initiatives, such as the Trade Facilitation Index, the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, export credit agencies working groups, and the Eurasia Competitiveness Program, with active involvement from QazTrade.
The discussions also included future cooperation plans, such as a seminar on critical raw materials in Astana on March 13 and an invitation for Minister Shakkaliyev to attend the Emerging Market Economy forum in Istanbul on April 10. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade and economic cooperation within the OECD framework.
With the continuous growth in container shipments and cargo transportation via the TITR, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a vital link in the international trade network, providing efficient and reliable transportation solutions for businesses and industries across the region.
