ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 13. Trans-Caspian International Transport Route(TITR, or Middle Corridor) is an important alternative amid rupture of traditional communication routes, said Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov during a government meeting, Trend reports.
"Kazakhstan has no access to the World Ocean, so we are developing all types of transport. Moreover, due to the geopolitical situation in the world and the rupture of traditional communication routes, there is a need to find alternative routes. A vivid example is the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Route," he said.
The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
As the PM noted, water transport accounts for more than 60 percent of cargo turnover and 80 percent of all international trade.
According to him, for the full development of domestic seaports, dredging work in Kuryk port will be completed by the end of next year, and in 2025 - in Aktau. This will make it possible to attract large-tonnage vessels.
"The potential of our seaports is very high. Through them, it is possible to transship three times more cargo than now. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate all bottlenecks in order to more effectively use the available resources of our infrastructure," the PM said.
At the same time, Smailov pointed to the need to speed up making the decision on construction of Kazakhstan's own shipyard.
"We also have opportunities to increase cargo transportation along the Irtysh River almost 2.5 times. To do this, we need to improve the existing infrastructure and increase the number of vessels. In general, the development of water transport will have a multiplier effect on the growth of the transport industry, transit and trade," he said.
The PM instructed to develop a set of measures for the development of maritime infrastructure by the end of January 2024, which should include an increase in the merchant fleet, port facilities and cargo transshipment.