Kazakhstan’s Rail Boom: Container transit from China to soar in 2025

Cargo transportation from China through Kazakhstan could reach 35 million tonnes by 2025, marking a record figure and significantly enhancing the country’s role as a key transport hub in the Eurasian region.

This forecast was made by Vadim Kopylov, director of the branch of JSC NC “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” (KTZ), Directorate of Integrated Planning, while commenting on the large-scale infrastructure project, the construction of second tracks on the Dostyk Moynty railway section, which is 836 kilometres long

This will increase the capacity from the current 12 to 60 train pairs per day, undoubtedly ensuring the acceleration and expansion of transit flows, as well as improving the efficiency of transporting raw materials, metals, food products and other cargo along the East West and East Central Asia routes.

Despite active construction work, in 2024 the volume of transportation from China through Kazakhstan already reached 32 million tonnes, up 450% in ten years . 

Particluar attention is deserved by the steady growth of container transit: the China EU China route has increased 12-fold, while the Trans Caspian route (TMTM) has grown 21-fold over the past decade, as Kazakhstan continues to cement its place as a strategic transport hub on the route between East and West.

The implementation of the second track project on the Dostyk Moynty section is not just an increase in infrastructure capacity, but a strategic step aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in international logistics.

According to Vadim Kopylov, “With the introduction of second tracks on the Dostyk Moynty section, transportation from China could reach 35 million tonnes by 2025. 

This includes the export of ore, metals and food products, as well as transit cargo along the East West and East Central Asia routes” he said.

Alongside the infrastructure development, KTZ also announced a major investment contract with the American company Wabtec valued at 4.2 billion US dollars. 

The deal was officially announced during the visit of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym Jomart Tokayev to New York on 21 September 2025. The contract covers the supply of 300 new locomotives, an extension of service maintenance for 15 years for 405 locomotives already in operation, as well as the organisation of full service for the new locomotives for up to 18 years after the last one is commissioned.

The modernisation of railway infrastructure and equipment creates a solid foundation for further growth in transit cargo flows between China, Europe and Central Asis via Kazakhstan. 

These measures will improve transport efficiency and will be an important factor in the country’s sustainable economic development amid growing demand for international logistics.

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