Record-breaking Kazakh-China Rail Cargo Transportation Reaches 32 Million Tons in 2024
Cargo transportation between Kazakhstan and China reached a historic milestone in 2024, as reported by the Railway and Water Transport Committee of the Kazakh Transport Ministry on Jan. 16. The total amount of cargo transported by rail exceeded 32 million tons by the end of the year.
Kazakhstan’s exports saw an increase of one million tons, reaching a total of 13.7 million tons. The key export commodities included iron and non-ferrous ore, as well as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and grain.
Imports also experienced a 5% growth, while transit shipments through Kazakhstan saw a significant 19% increase, totaling 15.3 million tons. Of note, container transit to Europe saw a remarkable 43% rise.
One of the main contributors to this growth was the establishment of a terminal at the dry port of Xi’an in Kazakhstan. In 2024, over 300 container trains passed through this terminal and the port of Aktau, marking a 30-fold increase compared to the previous year.
This surge in cargo transportation reflects the strengthening economic ties between Kazakhstan and China, as well as the strategic role that Kazakhstan plays in facilitating trade between Asia and Europe. The continued growth in rail transportation is a positive indicator of the ongoing development and integration of the transport network in the region.
