Kazakhstan targets 30 million tons seaport capacity by 2030

Kazakhstan is expanding its transport infrastructure to increase its seaport cargo throughput capacity from 21.8 million tons to 30 million tons by 2030. This initiative aims to strengthen the nation's role within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the “Middle Corridor.”

According to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Transport, cargo volume through the Middle Corridor grew by 22% in the first eight months of this year. The corridor, which connects China to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, has seen its freight volume increase 5.6 times over the last five years.

To support this growth, Kazakhstan is advancing construction at Aktau and Kuryk ports, including new terminal construction, dredging, and berth reconstruction. The Aktau port container hub's first phase is operational, with a second phase planned for 2027–2028 to increase capacity to 240,000 TEUs annually. Additionally, the country is modernizing its rail network, with plans to build or upgrade approximately 2,200 kilometers of track over the next three years.