ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 22. Kazakhstan and the European Union have outlined comprehensive plans to scale up cargo volumes along the Middle Corridor and implement deep digitalization across international transport routes connecting Asia and Europe, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Transport.
The initiatives were discussed during a meeting between Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Transport, Zhanibek Taizhanov, and Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of the Sustainable Transport and Urban Development Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).
The discussions centered on the current performance and next development phases of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Both sides mapped out plans to aggressively increase container transport volumes along the corridor.
The Kazakh delegation detailed the ongoing reconstruction of berths at the Port of Aktau, a project moving forward with financial backing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the EU. Future plans also include the construction of new commercial vessels and the expansion of Caspian ferry connections.
The officials reviewed progress on key railway infrastructure upgrades designed to eliminate bottlenecks, expand throughput capacity, and enhance broader regional connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.
In addition, both parties reviewed the deployment of electronic document management systems and automated customs clearance platforms. Kazakhstan highlighted plans for a full transition to digital permits for international road freight operations, formally inviting EU member states to integrate into the electronic exchange platform.
