The Dostyk-Alashankou transport hub, a critical gateway on the China-Kazakhstan border, has set a new record, moving 18 mn tons of freight in 2023, surpassing its previous peak of 17.75 mn tons achieved in 2013. Rail-news.kz writes, that this milestone highlights Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in Eurasian rail logistics and its growing influence in international trade corridors.
To honor this accomplishment, more than 65 employees were recognized with the Dostyq medal and certificates of excellence, including specialists from Kazakhstan’s Dostyk station, China’s Alashankou station, and other key contributors to the hub’s operations.
The success is attributed to ongoing infrastructure upgrades and the dedication of the Almaty Department of Freight Transportation.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to improving performance and reaching new goals,” said Nurym Zhaniyazov, director of the Almaty Department of Freight Transportation. He added that the hub’s development strategy would ensure its continued high performance and reinforce its position in international freight logistics.
Kazakhstan’s Central Role in China-Europe Trade
In 2023, up to 50% of rail freight on the China-Russia-Europe route passed through Kazakhstan, matching the combined volume of freight transported via the Russian-Chinese border and Mongolia. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reported that 29 million tons of freight moved through Kazakhstan in 2023, underscoring the importance of its rail network in facilitating Eurasian trade.
Kazakhstan’s rail corridors, including those at the Dostyk-Alashankou and Altynkol-Khorgos crossings, are operating near capacity, prompting the government to undertake ambitious infrastructure upgrades. These include modernizing existing routes and constructing new ones to meet growing demand and maintain competitiveness.
Ongoing Infrastructure Projects
One of the most significant initiatives is the 836-kilometer Dostyk-Moyinty railway line, Kazakhstan’s largest rail construction project to date. Launched in November 2022, the project aims to:
- Expand single-track sections to accommodate up to 60 freight train pairs daily, a fivefold increase.
- Modernize infrastructure, including bridges, communication lines, and station facilities, particularly at Dostyk station.
- Enhance freight speeds along Kazakhstan’s Eurasian corridors from 1,100 to 1,500 kilometers per day.
Scheduled for completion in 2025, the Dostyk-Moyinty line will connect the Kazakhstan-China border to key transit routes: northwards to the Kazakhstan-Russia border and westwards to Caspian Sea ports like Aktau and Kuryk. This development is vital for Kazakhstan’s efforts to bolster trans-Caspian routes and integrate into the broader China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran corridor.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Kazakhstan’s investment in rail infrastructure complements other projects, such as the Bakhty-Chuguchak border railway crossing and a logistics terminal at Xi’an Dry Port in China, which will streamline freight movement from Chinese industrial zones to Central Asia. The first train on this route left Xi'an dry port on January 1, 2025.
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