ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 15. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport reports an 82 percent increase in road transport from China, hitting 822,000 tons in the first quarter of 2025, Trend reports.
This remarkable growth highlights the Middle Corridor’s expanding role as a key transit route between Asia and Europe. Additionally, rail freight from China saw a 13 percent increase, with 11.4 million tons of cargo transported over the first four months of the year.
“The first Kazakhstan-China Transport Forum in Astana brought together key officials, including Marat Karabaev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, and Liu Wei, China’s Minister of Transport, to discuss the ongoing development of transport infrastructure and future opportunities along the Middle Corridor," the statement said.
One of the key topics was the potential expansion of road transport connectivity, including the opening of two new border crossing points that will link Kazakhstan’s East Kazakhstan and Almaty regions with neighboring regions of China, further strengthening the Middle Corridor’s role.
Moreover, the Aktau Port is currently undergoing a major expansion in collaboration with a Chinese company. The construction of a new container hub will increase the port's capacity from 140,000 TEU to 240,000 TEU by the end of this year, enhancing Kazakhstan’s connectivity to the global trade network, particularly for shipments traveling along the Middle Corridor.
This growing momentum of the Middle Corridor reflects Kazakhstan’s central role in facilitating efficient and reliable trade between China and Europe, positioning the region as a crucial hub for global supply chains.
