Container Shipments from China to Central Asia Surge by 104%

Container shipments from China to Central Asian countries rose by 104% year-over-year in January–April 2025, totaling 144 trainloads. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This growth reflects expanding trade ties between China and the region, alongside improved logistics infrastructure.

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During trilateral talks, representatives from KTZ – Freight Transportation, Uzbekistan Railways, and Tajik Railways confirmed that rail freight volume between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reached 11.5 million tonnes in 2024.

The cross-border junction “Saryagash (Uzbekistan) – Oazis (Tajikistan)” handled an average of 26 train movements per day during the first four months of 2025, indicating the corridor’s high throughput capacity.

Container Shipments as a Strategic Priority

Expanding container shipments along the China–Central Asia route has become a strategic focus for all transport stakeholders. Containerization ensures faster, safer, and more cost-efficient delivery of goods, especially as trade volumes increase.

Authorities in China’s Shaanxi Province plan to invest ¥2.5 billion (approx. $344.8 million) to enhance container rail service to Europe via Central Asia, further boosting regional transit traffic.

Infrastructure Development and Process Digitalization

To support continued growth in container shipments, the participating countries have agreed to modernize infrastructure and adopt digital systems. This includes building new logistics hubs, upgrading rolling stock, and implementing electronic cargo processing.

These steps aim to improve transport efficiency, reduce delivery times, and lower logistics costs—strengthening the region’s role as a key logistics hub along the China–Europe corridor.

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