ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Two major port capacity expansion projects for Aktau and Kuryk have recently been discussed within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) Coordination Platform, a source at a EU Commissioner told Trend.
The project's focus is on acquiring modern cranes and handling equipment, upgrading and constructing new berths, and developing dedicated container terminals to meet the anticipated increase in cargo traffic. The establishment of container hubs will boost container throughput, while more powerful and larger cranes will enable port operations to continue efficiently during adverse weather conditions, significantly reducing downtime.
The TITR Coordination Platform will maintain ongoing technical discussions on concrete investment plans with the governments of all Central Asian countries and other relevant stakeholders to advance these projects.
Meanwhile, a 2023 EU-funded study on Sustainable Transport Connectivity between Europe and Central Asia estimated the total investment required to upgrade port infrastructure in Aktau and Kuryk at approximately 307 million euro. The EU has recently received an investment proposal from an international financial institution for the Aktau port and is currently reviewing it for potential funding opportunities.
