Kazakhstan Invests $10 Billion to Expand Middle Corridor Rail Network

The Government of Kazakhstan is investing $10 billion through 2030 to expand the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, to increase logistics capacity between China and Europe. This strategic expansion includes constructing the 300-km Ayagoz-Bakhty railway and procuring 270 locomotives and six cargo ships, primarily from Chinese providers. These upgrades aim to raise annual bilateral rail freight capacity from 55 million to 100 million metric tons by 2030.

To strengthen its position as a Eurasian hub, the state is implementing a nationwide modernization program. Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev announced that 30 of 124 planned modernized stations will be commissioned by July 1, 2026, supported by an AI-driven Smart Rail system. Additionally, Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov confirmed that the Darbaza-Maktaaral and Moiynty-Kyzylzhar lines are scheduled for launch in November 2026. Domestic manufacturing is also expanding with the launch of a Stadler Kazakhstan plant in Astana and a freight plant in Atyrau.

Kazakhstan is intensifying cooperation with Azerbaijan to resolve infrastructure bottlenecks. This partnership includes the construction of Kazakhstan's first container vessel at the Baku Shipyard. While the corridor has seen freight volumes increase nearly tenfold since 2022 due to global shipping disruptions, analysts note that limitations in port capacity and tariffs currently prevent it from fully replacing traditional northern routes through Russia.