ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 23. The transport sector of Turkmenistan is a key element of the country's strategic development, playing an important role in strengthening the economy, increasing trade turnover, and ensuring sustainability and competitiveness on the world stage.
Over the past few decades, Turkmenistan has made significant efforts to modernize and expand its transport infrastructure.
According to the review prepared by Trend, Turkmenistan has been showing good results in the development of its transport network for the whole of 2023.
Shipbuilding
Representatives of the Turkmendenizderyayollary Agency (Turkmen State Service of Maritime and River Transportation) and AD Ports Group (Abu Dhabi Ports) discussed the prospects of investing in the construction of new vessels in Turkmenistan, as well as the withdrawal of ready-made vessels of the company to the Caspian Sea. The parties also considered the possibility of transferring the container terminal of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport on long-term terms to the trust management of AD Ports Group.
Export platform
TurkmenExporters.com.tm, the leading export platform in Turkmenistan, has opened two new sections - "Advantageous offers" and "Free trucks for loading". In the "Advantageous offers" section, users can find information about export goods available at advantageous prices from Turkmen manufacturers. The "Free trucks for loading" section helps owners of available trucks and carriers find each other quickly for transporting goods from Turkmenistan to foreign countries and vice versa.
Maritime cargo transportation
The Turkmendenizderyayollary Agency (Turkmen State Service of Maritime and River Transportation) and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications of the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of maritime transport, aimed at developing coordination between the two countries in the field of maritime navigation and strengthening trade, economic and investment cooperation. The documents were signed following negotiations between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov during his official visit to the capital of Bahrain, Manama.
Memorandum with DAI Global
Turkmen Logistics Association, which unites transport and logistics companies of Turkmenistan, and the US DAI Global LLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding regulating the main areas of cooperation between enterprises of the two countries. Within the framework of the document, the parties are working together to improve the quality of logistics services, the introduction of modern digital systems in the field of logistics to optimize supply chains and international transportation.
Agreement on international railway transit tariff
The Organization for Cooperation Between Railways (OSJD) held a meeting of representatives of the parties to the Agreement on the International Railway Transit Tariff in May of this year in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. The program of events that OSJD held in Turkmenistan for the first time included the issues of intensification of transit in international traffic, improvement of the Agreement on International Railway Freight Communications, ensuring the competitiveness of transit cargo transportation by rail.
Increase in rail traffic
Representatives of the Turkmen Demiryollary OJSC in Belarus, held a business meeting with representatives of the Belarusian Railway during which they discussed the increase in the volume of cargo transportation by rail. During the meeting, the sides discussed the development of mutual cooperation in the railway sector of the two countries and also exchanged views on the activation of partnership along the East-West and North-South international transport corridors.
Opening of regular shipping line on Caspian Sea
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with the Governor of the Astrakhan region of Russia Igor Babushkin during which they discussed the opening of a regular shipping line on the Caspian Sea. During the meeting, Berdimuhamedov noted the expediency of opening a regular shipping line between the ports of the Turkmen city of Turkmenbashi and the Astrakhan region, stressing that the Turkmen side is ready to consider constructive proposals to expand cooperation in various directions, taking into account the existing prospects.
Modernization of railway network
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on April 15, instructed to reconstruct the internal railways and modernize the material and technical base of the railway network. At the same time, the president ordered to increase the volume of domestic, transit and international cargo transportation, as well as to create new transport and transit routes.
Opening of KAMAZ service center
Russian KAMAZ PJSC planned to open a fifth service center in Turkmenistan, which was to be located in the Dashoguz region. The first KAMAZ service center was opened in July 2008 in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Similar centers were opened in November 2021 in Turkmenbashi city, and in September 2022 - in the cities of Mary and Turkmenabat.
Transit through Afghanistan
Transport sector officials of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed issues related to the expansion of cooperation in the field of transit cargo transportation at the end of May. In particular, the parties discussed the development of cooperation in transit cargo transportation through Afghanistan, carried out for the export of oil and gas products of Turkmenistan.
Purchase of Boeing aircraft
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a decree at the end of June, according to which the country will purchase four Boeing 737-8 airliners and two Boeing 777-367 ER aircraft. The decision to purchase new aircraft was made in order to successfully solve the tasks provided for in the "National Program for the Development of Civil Aviation of Turkmenistan for 2012-2030", as well as the consistent modernization of the aircraft fleet and flight safety.
New cargo service
Turkmenistan Airlines has started operating flights on the first cargo route opened between the UK and Vietnam in transit through Turkmenistan. The new route is served by Turkmenistan Airlines and at the time of opening was the only cargo route between the UK and Vietnam, and Airbus A330 aircraft with a carrying capacity of 30 tons are used for cargo transportation.
Cargo flights to Italy and China
Turkmenistan Airlines started operating cargo flights to Milan (Italy) and Shenzhen (China) from July 16, 2023. These flights began to be operated on Airbus 330-200P2F cargo planes of the Turkmenistan Airlines with a frequency of once a week. It was assumed that cargo transportation between these cities was to be carried out in order to successfully implement the tasks set in the "National Program for the Development of Civil Aviation of Turkmenistan for 2012-2030".
North-South Transport Corridor
Russia has approved Turkmenistan's accession to the Agreement on the International North-South Transport Corridor. The corresponding order was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia was instructed to notify Iran of this decision.
Improving ship management
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed to improve the management of the field of ship transport. The relevant instructions were given to the Director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Mammetkhan Chakiyev at a government meeting. The president addressed specific instructions to the head of the agency on further improving the management of the maritime and river transport industry in accordance with international standards, introducing world best practices in this area, strengthening partnerships with foreign companies engaged in international cargo transportation.
Interest in Baku International Seaport
A delegation from Turkmenistan has visited the Baku International Sea Trade Port with the aim of expanding mutual cooperation in increasing freight transportation between Central Asia and Europe, identifying additional potentials, and encouraging the attraction of new types of cargo. The guests got acquainted with the technical capabilities of the Baku Port, ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, and were provided information on the volume of transported goods, international ports, and logistics companies involved in mutual cooperation.
Shipment of goods together with Russia
The Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan JSC together with the Russian Railways Logistics planned to start transporting containers from the Selyatino railway station of the Moscow region to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Cargo transportation was to be carried out through the Turkmen Sarakhs station, with further plans to increase such shipments to 5-6 per month. In addition, in order to increase the profitability of export operations and the transportation of perishable products, refrigerated wagons were to be launched along the new route.
Exchange of experience in container transportation with Azerbaijan
Members of the port control groups of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport (Turkmenistan) and the Baku International Seaport (Azerbaijan) exchanged experience in the field of container traffic control. The meeting took place during a joint practical training on container traffic control organized by the Regional Office in Central Asia of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) within the framework of the UNODC Global Program and the World Customs Organization. The 5-day event sought to increase the level of knowledge and experience of port control group members in order to reduce the risk of employing sea freight transportation for trading various illegal items and other types of organized criminal activity.
Launch of cargo flights by Belgian company via Turkmenistan
Belgian Challenge Airlines planed to operate cargo flights on the route Ningbo (China)-Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)-Liege (Belgium). These issues were discussed between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, with the participation of representatives of the Turkmenistan Airline and the leadership of Belgian Challenge Airlines. The parties discussed logistics issues, including procedures for launching flights for this company through Turkmenistan, visa support, and much more. At the same time, they have clearly confirmed their readiness to organize effective cooperation between Challenge Airlines and Turkmen civil aviation.
Railway connection of EAEU countries and the UAE
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Arzybek Kozhoshev, and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Russia, Mohammad Ahmad Al-Jaber, held a meeting. During the discussion, the concerns of cargo transport communication between the EAEU nations and the UAE were covered, particularly the potential for railroad traffic through Turkmenistan.
Talks with international partners
Turkmenistan participated in the High-Level Euro-Asia Regional Review Meeting of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024. The event took place from August 22 through 23 in Bangkok, Thailand, and brought together representatives of the UN, the heads of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and others, as well as government bodies of the countries of the Eurasian region.
Participants discuss and share experiences on progress, challenges, opportunities, and best solutions for improving transit and trade facilitation both in landlocked developing countries and in their transit neighbors. A separate topic was the provision of uninterrupted and stable communication with the help of transport infrastructure and information and communication technologies.
Interest of Russian region in shipbuilding
Shipbuilders in the Astrakhan region of Russia are interested in fulfilling orders on the terms of industrial cooperation with Turkmenistan. This was stated by Governor of the Astrakhan region Igor Babushkin, during a meeting with the mayor of the Balkan region of Turkmenistan, Khojamyrat Ashyrmyradov, during which they discussed promising areas of cooperation. He noted that Astrakhan factories could assemble ship hulls, and then they can be transported to the Turkmenbashi International Seaport of Turkmenistan and retrofitted at the Balkan shipyard.
Construction of two new bulk carriers
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a decree authorizing the Turkmendenizderyayollary Agency (Turkmen State Service of Maritime and River Transportation) of the Agency of Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of the country to conclude a contract with the Balkan plant for the construction of two dry cargo vessels. The vessels will be built by domestic specialists to modernize the material and technical base of the national fleet of Turkmenistan.
Cooperation with Georgia
The delegations from Turkmenistan and Georgia discussed issues related to the improvement of international road transport. These issues were discussed during the regular meeting of the joint commission of Turkmenistan and Georgia on international road transport held in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat. Having considered the current state of cooperation between the two countries in the field of international road transport, the parties discussed the prospects for building up partnerships and increasing the volume of international road transport.
Transit of containers to Kazakhstan
Turkmenistan's Halkara Gatnaw Logistika economic society carried out the transit of containers to Kazakhstan. Twenty containers loaded with passenger cars (sent from the UAE to Kazakhstan) were delivered to the warehouse terminal of the Turkmenistan's city of Sarakhs on the border with Iran, from where the Turkmen enterprise was then transported by rail through the territory of Turkmenistan to the destination – Kazakh city of Almaty.
Cooperation with French companies
Turkmenistan is ready to expand cooperation with French companies in the implementation of joint projects for the construction and modernization of infrastructure for sea, rail and air transportation, as well as in the creation and operation of satellite communication systems. This was stated by Deputy Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Batyr Annaev, speaking at a business meeting with French companies. According to him, Turkmenistan's partnership relations with French companies have become an integral part of the development of various spheres of transport and communications in the country.
Increase in international flight destinations
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, instructed to prepare new proposals to increase the destinations and the number of flights carried out to foreign countries, as well as proposals to improve the conditions for the purchase of air tickets through the digital system. This instruction was given by the head of state at a government meeting to the Director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Mammetkhan Chakiyev, during his report on the results of the country's transport sector.
Shipbuilding with South Korean KOMEA and KSIT
Turkmenistan discussed issues related to the planning and implementation of shipbuilding projects with the Korean Marine Equipment Association (KOMEA) and Koryo Shipbuilding Industry Technology. Co., Ltd. (KSIT). These issues were discussed during the meeting of the leadership of the Turkmenistan Turkmendenizderyayollary Agency (Turkmen State Service of Maritime and River Transportation) with representatives of KOMEA and KSIT. The parties discussed implementation of projects aimed at development of Turkmenistan's national merchant fleet, paying special attention to the construction of dry cargo ships and ferries. In particular, they talked about the construction project of two bulk carriers at the Balkan shipyard and ship repair plant.
Construction of new railway stations
Director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Mammetkhan Chakiyev, at a government meeting held on September 16, 2023, said that four railway stations will be built in the country in the Bayramali city in the Mary region, Kaahka and Baharden districts of the Ahal region, and Balkanabat city.
Austrian RCG's cargo transportation to Turkmenistan within Middle Corridor
The freight division of the Austrian Federal Railway (RCG ÖBB) announced at the end of September that it would begin cargo transportation to Turkmenistan within the Middle Corridor. The key advantage of these transport solutions will be that the transported goods will be fully provided with safety and reliability, and the carriers themselves will be issued transport insurance, and the time of the full delivery cycle will be about 30 days.
Participation in new transport corridor
Representatives of the transport departments of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and Türkiye discussed the signing of an agreement on the creation of a new transport and transit corridor. This transport and transit corridor is planned to link China with the European Union through the participating countries.The participants of the meeting noted that the China−Kazakhstan−Uzbekistan−Turkmenistan−Iran−Türkiye−Europe corridor meets the interests of all participants and will open up new opportunities for the development of trade relations.
Reconstruction of major highway
Deputy Prime Minister for Construction, Industry and Electric Power Baimurat Annamammedov said during a regular Cabinet meeting in late October that the State Agency for the Management of the Construction of Highways of Turkmenistan planned to begin reconstruction of the Ashgabat - Geokdepe northern bypass highway. It was planned to build new automobile bridges along the road that would meet modern requirements and international standards.
Shipbuilding with Chinese companies
Representatives of Turkmenistan's 'Turkmendenizderyayollary' Agency (Turkmen State Service of Maritime and River Transportation), as part of their participation in the Canton Fair, which was held in Guangzhou (China), held a number of business meetings with Chinese companies related to shipbuilding.
Interest in developing co-op with Türkiye
Turkmenistan has offered Türkiye to create a joint transport and logistics center, as was noted by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Turkmen-Turkish Business Forum in Ankara city (Türkiye) on October 26. He noted that the transport and communication are one of the most promising and key industries, while adding that today there is a large-scale construction of new transport communications, road and rail routes, and reconstruction of airports and ports in the country. In this regard, the head of Turkmenistan proposed to establish regular working meetings between transport departments, associations, and companies of both countries.
Cooperation with Georgia, Romania
The Turkmen delegation held bilateral meetings within the framework of the Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi with a number of high-ranking representatives of the government and business of Georgia and Romania during which they discussed the development of cooperation in the field of transport and logistics. The Turkmen side held talks with the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communications of Romania, as well as the Director of Commercial Relations of APM Terminals in Georgia and the Managing Director of MSC Georgia.
OTS countries
The countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) can use the possibilities of the logistics and infrastructure system of Turkmenistan, Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at the 10th summit of heads of state of the OTS in Astana.
"In the current situation of general instability, one of the key tasks is to create a modern transport, transit and logistics system between our states and widely spreading beyond their borders," he said.
Signing contract with KOMEA
The Balkan shipyard and ship repair plant of Turkmenistan and the Korean Marine Equipment Association (KOMEA) have signed a contract for the construction of new vessels totaling $42 million. The contract was signed for the design, joint construction, and supply of components for vessels of the Multi-Purpose Carriers class with a displacement of 6,100 tons.
Increase in railway transportation
The Turkmenistan Railways national carrier has announced a significant reduction in the transit time of goods through its territory. By optimizing multimodal logistics and improving rail transportation, the speed of cargo delivery from one border to another has increased by 40 percent. This significant result, achieved through systematic measures, puts Turkmenistan among a number of countries seeking to strengthen their role in the international transport system.
Joining TRACECA
Turkmenistan officially joined the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Corridor (TRACECA) on November 14 this year. By joining the Agreement, Turkmenistan expressed its commitment to promoting international cargo transportation, ensuring road safety, harmonizing transport policy and creating equal conditions for competition between different modes of transport on this important logistics route.
Projects with Afghanistan
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed the possibility of increasing cargo transportation along the Lapis Lazuli Corridor. During the talks between the railway administrations of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, the following issues have been discussed: construction of railways in Afghanistan, management and maintenance of the Akina-Andkhoy railway built by Turkmenistan, intensification of cargo transportation along the Lapis-Lazuli International Transport Corridor, etc. At the same time, the sides managed to agree on a number of measures of technical cooperation, for the development of which it was decided to form a joint committee to improve coordination. In particular, the issues of the continuation of the 30-kilometer Akina-Andkhoy railway line, previously laid by Turkmen specialists, and the construction of the Andkhoy-Shibirgan section with a length of 10 km were considered, and the project of the Turgundi-Sanabar-Herat railway line was also discussed.
Launch of cargo transportation by Sky Gates Airlines
Sky Gates Airlines (a subsidiary of Red Wings Airlines) has commissioned an IL-96-400T long-haul aircraft that has undergone airworthiness restoration for freight delivery to Turkmenistan. The liner performed the first commercial flight between Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and Moscow (Russia), landing at 'Zhukovsky' airport with consumer items on board, according to Red Wings Airlines.
New transit bridge
A new transport bridge over the Garabogaz strait is under construction in the Balkan region of western Turkmenistan. The more than 200-meter-long bridge will help to enhance commercial contacts within the framework of the North-South International Transport Corridor, as well as improve communication between Turkmenbashi's huge port city and Garabogaz's industrial facilities.
Turkmenistan-initiated UN resolution
The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution on transport developed on the initiative of Turkmenistan. The resolution 'Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals' was adopted at the 48th plenary meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.