ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 15. The transportation industry in Turkmenistan holds significant importance in driving the country's economic growth and facilitating global connectivity. It encompasses diverse modes of transportation, including road, rail, air, and sea travel.
The country's government prioritizes the enhancement of transportation infrastructure to spur economic advancement and foster stronger international relations.
According to the review prepared by Trend, Turkmenistan demonstrated good results in the development of its transport network during the first quarter of 2024.
Simplification of the issuance of documents to local carriers
Branches of the 'Türkmenulaggözegçilik' state enterprise of the Turkmenawtoulaglary Agency (Turkmen automobile service) have started issuing permits from foreign countries to carriers carrying out international transportation on vehicles registered in Turkmenistan. The departments of permits and document analysis have started work in the Ahal region and Ashgabat city. In the regions, this service is provided by road control departments in the Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary regions, and for transportation to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, the issuance and registration of permits are carried out by road control authorities at border checkpoints.
Simplification of procedures for international cargo carriers with Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed speeding up the signing of a draft intergovernmental agreement on the simplification of visa procedures for participants in international cargo transportation across the territory of the two countries. At the meeting of the Turkmen-Uzbek expert working group, held in a videoconference format, the issue of fees levied during international road transport by carriers of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan was considered. The meeting also discussed the optimization of fees and charges charged to carriers in both countries in the process of international cargo transportation and the tasks of future cooperation.
Commissioning of new vessels
Turkmenistan planned to accept new vessels in the near and medium term, built at the Balkan shipyard and ship repair plant located on the territory of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport. The focus was on supply vessels, transport vessels, and tugboats that serve the growing areas of offshore oil and gas production. The investment projects provided for an increase in the number of RO-PAX ferries in the merchant fleet for rail and road transport, as well as the opening of new routes to the ports of Makhachkala, Astrakhan (Russia), and Kuryk (Kazakhstan).
Discussion with Iran on the simplification of the procedure for issuing visas to truck drivers
Representatives of the border agencies of Turkmenistan and Iran held a meeting at the Artyk-Lotfabad checkpoint, where they discussed simplifying the issuance of visas for truck drivers. During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for the development of road freight transportation through the Artyk-Lotfabad customs posts, in particular, considering the increase in the working hours of officials at this customs point and issues related to transport costs.
Globalink Logistics has become an air sales agent for Turkish cargo in Turkmenistan
Globalink Logistics Company has become the official agent of Turkish Cargo for the implementation of air cargo transportation in Turkmenistan. This measure greatly contributed to the expansion of the range of logistics services provided by Turkish Cargo as well as to improving the quality of cargo transportation. Through this alliance, Turkish Cargo has continued to expand its air transportation services, building on its extensive network and exceptional customer service.
Discussion of cooperation with Italy in the construction of high-speed railways
Turkmenistan and Italy discussed issues of cooperation in the construction of high-speed railways. These issues were discussed during the meeting of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Italy, Toyli Komekov, with the President of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), Dario Lo Bosco, CEO of RFI, Gianpiero Strisciuglio, and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Italy, Edoardo Rixi. During the conversation held in Rome, the parties discussed the possibility of exchanging experience on the construction of high-speed railways as well as highways.
Discussion with partners on the development of Trans-Caspian route
The delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the meeting 'Joint Action Plan on the Trans-Caspian Trade Route', which was held in Uzbekistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen Association of International Road Carriers, the branch of the Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan in Uzbekistan, as well as private transport companies. The purpose of the meeting was to promote regional transport cooperation in order to increase cargo traffic along the Trans-Caspian Trade Route. Furthermore, considerable focus was dedicated to optimizing logistics, customs procedures, and border crossing capacity.
Discussion with Belarus on the development of the North-South transport corridor
Turkmenistan and Belarus discussed the development of logistics chains in Central Asia in the context of the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor. These issues were discussed between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia, Esen Aydogdyyev, and the Ambassador of Belarus to Moscow, Dmitry Krutoi. During the meeting held in Moscow, the Russian capital, the parties engaged in extensive discussions covering a broad spectrum of issues related to bilateral trade and economic cooperation. In particular, the diplomats delved into discussions concerning the operations of trading houses in both countries, along with the advancement of logistics chains in Central Asia within the framework of developing the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Interest in joining the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic
Turkmenistan intends to join the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This information was announced by Mammetkhan Chakiyev, Director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, at a government meeting on January 26 this year. According to him, this decision was made in order to develop international cooperation, simplify maritime navigation procedures, and improve trade relations between Turkmenistan and other countries.
Cooperation in the field of maritime training with Russian Tatarstan
Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan (Russia) discussed opportunities for the training and retraining of Turkmen specialists in the field of maritime and river transport. These issues were discussed during a meeting between the Consul General of Turkmenistan in Tatarstan, Guych Garayev, and the director of the Institute of Marine and River Fleet, Ilyas Salakhov. During the meeting, Salakhov noted the important role of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport in the Caspian Sea, which requires the appropriate training of specialists.
Discussion with Russian Railways on the development of transportation along the North-South Corridor
Representatives of the Turkmenistan Railway Agency (Turkmendemiryollary) and the Russian Railways Holding Company discussed the development of transportation along the International North-South Transport Corridor. During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of a railcar repair plant in Gyzylarbat. They also noted that it is planned to create a single logistics operator and open a representative office of Russian Railways in Turkmenistan, which will create conditions for strengthening fruitful Turkmen-Russian relations in the field of transport.
Reduction of transit time through its territory
The transit time of container trains through the territory of Turkmenistan at the beginning of February was reduced to three days. This was stated by the Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Railways Agency, Bekmyrat Ishangulyev, during the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, held in Brussels. According to him, Turkmenistan has introduced special tariff rates that have been agreed upon with its partners. He pointed out that starting January 1, 2024, Turkmenistan has implemented a 50 percent discount on transit transportation through the Akyaila station (applicable to all cargoes except aluminum and alumina) and on transshipment from/to sea transport to/from rail transport at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport station.
Announcement of the construction of new ships
Turkmenistan has decided to build five vessels of various types this year, including three general cargo vessels and two Ro-Ro vessels. This was stated at the beginning of the year by the Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Maritime and River Transport (Turkmendenizderyayollary) Agency, Seyitguly Bayseidov, during the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, held today in Brussels. He noted that the construction of various types of these vessels includes bulk carriers and universal ferries specialized for the transportation of rail and road transport.
Accession to the IMO’s convention on bunker oil pollution damage
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved Turkmenistan’s accession to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (BUNKER-2001). This Convention will enter into force for Turkmenistan on April 23 this year.
Discussion with Iran on the development of transport corridors, spanning Azerbaijan
Turkmenistan and Iran discussed issues related to the development of international trade and transport connections between the countries in the region, including the transit route through Azerbaijan. These matters were discussed in Tehran within the "Iranian maritime economy" forum, attended by representatives of the Turkmen agency. The forum saw the participation of representatives from transportation companies, government institutions, and business groups in Iran, where discussions focused on the development of international trade and transport connections in the international North-South and West-East transport corridors. During the forum, three transport routes were identified: Europe-Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran- India, Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-India, and Russia-Iran-India.
Exchange of management experience with Spanish ports
Representatives of the Maritime and River Transport Agency of Turkmenistan (Turkmendenizderyayollary) and the Spanish Port of Valencia exchanged experience on issues related to port management. This interaction was within the framework of a working visit to the port of Valencia by specialists of the 'Turkmendenizderyayollary' agency within the framework of the project "Application of the principles of 'green' ports and sustainability in the Caspian Sea region" of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). During the visit, the specialists got acquainted with the activities of the Port of Valencia to reduce CO2 emissions and switch to bioenergy (green energy) in accordance with modern international standards. Also in this regard, they were familiarized with the analyses carried out in the country's seaports and pilot projects currently being implemented.
Launch of an automated cargo transportation management system
The Turkmenpost postal communication company, together with Turkmenistan's Demirýollary OJSC national railway carrier, launched an automated system for cargo transportation management. The new system allows online calculations of the cost of cargo transportation, to draw up the necessary documents, and to choose the type of railcar depending on the nature of the cargo. Furthermore, the system also provides for the possibility of tracking the movement of freight railcars across the territory of Turkmenistan.
Negotiations on cooperation in the field of railways with France Arterail Company
Turkmenistan and the France Arterail Company have intensified negotiations on cooperation in the field of railways. Negotiations were held under the leadership of Jérôme Garcia, founder and head of Arterail, between experts of this company and specialists of the Turkmenistan Railways. During the meeting, the Turkmen railway workers acquainted the French experts with the issues of cooperation in the implementation of projects for the country's railway infrastructure, modernization, and electrification of the railway complex. In turn, the French experts expressed interest in establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with the Railway Transport Administration of Turkmenistan and intend to participate in existing projects and contribute to the development of the country's economy.
New investment projects with AD Ports Group
Representatives of the transport departments of Turkmenistan and Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group discussed the implementation of new investment projects. These issues were discussed by representatives of AD Ports Group with Deputy Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Batyr Annaev, and Director General of Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan (TULM), JSC Merdan Byashimov, who arrived in the UAE on a working visit. During the meeting, the sides also discussed issues of strengthening the transport and logistics sector and the development of port infrastructure. Special attention was paid to the implementation of the UAE's best practices in port management and digitalization, as well as cooperation in the field of maritime transport. In particular, they exchanged views on attracting and developing the transport potential of Turkmenistan and the UAE.
Purchase of a batch of Toyota buses
Turkmenistan has purchased a large batch of buses and minibuses for Turkmenabat city, located in the Lebap region. The 'Lebapawtoulag' Production Association of the Turkmenawtoulaglary Agency (Turkmen Automobile Service) received 170 units of 28-seat Toyota Coaster buses from the state, as well as 20 units of 13-seat Toyota Hiace minibuses manufactured in Japan.
Completion of construction of the Tejen-Mary expressway
Turkmenistan has completed the construction of the Tejen - Mary expressway and has scheduled the opening of traffic for April this year. This was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Myakhridzhemal Mammadova, at a government meeting.
