Connecting the Caspian Sea logistics corridor | Phase one of Kazakhstan's Aktau Port container hub begins operation

On July 14, a container train fully loaded with Chinese goods smoothly entered the first-phase operational area of the container hub at Aktau Port in Kazakhstan, marking the commencement of operations at this core logistics node jointly built by China and Kazakhstan to serve the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor.

With the operational instructions issued, the rail-mounted container gantry crane on-site steadily lifted the containers, quickly completing the entire process of unloading, transferring, and stacking, ensuring orderly operations. This inaugural train departed from Zhejiang, carrying a total of 55 standard containers. The cargo is highly diverse, including industrial raw materials such as rolled steel, as well as light industrial and electromechanical products made in China, such as home appliances, clothing, electric scooters, toys, and sports goods. The goods will be transshipped via Aktau and transported by sea across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, reflecting the strong market demand for Chinese goods in Central Asia and the Caucasus region.

The Aktau Port container hub is a landmark logistics project of high-quality China-Kazakhstan cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and a critical transit node of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor. The hub seamlessly connects China-Europe railways with Caspian Sea shipping, playing a significant strategic role in facilitating an efficient multimodal transport channel between "China-Kazakhstan-Europe," significantly reducing cross-border cargo transportation time and lowering overall logistics costs. The hub project is divided into two phases of construction, with the first phase covering 9.1 hectares, featuring three railway loading and unloading lines, approximately 690 flat container slots, and equipped with advanced handling equipment to enable full-process operations such as container transshipment, inspection, and hazardous materials handling. With the official operation of the first phase, the hub will fully leverage its role as the core distribution center on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, handling more transit container business between China and Europe, and establishing a stable, efficient, and low-cost land-sea multimodal transport artery for trade between China, Kazakhstan, and multiple Eurasian countries.

In recent years, Lianyungang Port has actively integrated into the national opening-up framework, fully utilizing its advantage as the eastern starting point of the New Eurasian Land Bridge, and has collaborated with multiple parties to promote the implementation, construction, and operation of this hub, striving to build an integrated "three-hub" operational framework.

"The launch of the first phase of the Aktau Port container hub is an important achievement of Lianyungang Port in deepening China-Kazakhstan logistics cooperation and serving the national opening-up strategy. It marks a critical step forward in the multimodal transport system of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor," said Chang Jianbing, General Manager of Aktau International Container Hub Limited Liability Partnership. He stated that leveraging this core node, they will continue to optimize full-chain logistics services, further amplify the advantages of the Belt and Road intersection, and provide stronger support for ensuring the stable and smooth operation of the Eurasian industrial and supply chains.

Next, the Aktau Port container hub will continue to optimize integrated services for railway loading and unloading, transit distribution, and fast customs clearance, further enhancing the container transit capacity of the Trans-Caspian Corridor. It will promote the regular operation of direct transit trains from China to the Caucasus region, support regional economic and trade collaboration, and inject lasting momentum into the stable and smooth operation of the Eurasian industrial and supply chains.