The Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Olzhas Bektenov and Abdulla Aripov, visited the Aktau International Seaport as part of a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities to expand cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, according to the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
Infrastructure Priorities and Port Development
Both heads of government reviewed the infrastructure and operational capabilities of the Aktau port, which is Kazakhstan's largest seaport and one of the key hubs of the Middle Corridor. The port covers an area of 44 hectares and is capable of processing up to 12 million tons of cargo annually, ensuring year-round transport to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Caspian region.
Bektenov emphasized that the development of maritime infrastructure remains one of the priorities of the Government of Kazakhstan. He noted that dredging works at the Kyryk port were completed in 2025, and similar works at the Aktau port are expected by the end of the current year. This will allow the ports to accommodate fully loaded vessels, increase throughput capacity, and create conditions for further expansion of port infrastructure.
Production Indicators and Plans
Elzhas Otynshiev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, reported that the combined capacity of the Aktau and Kyryk ports is about 22 million tons per year. He also added that the volume of container transit along the Trans-Caspian route through Kazakh ports has increased threefold between 2022 and 2025.
The first stage of the container hub has already been commissioned at the Aktau port, with an annual capacity of 140,000 TEU. After the completion of the second stage in the period 2027–2028, its capacity will increase to 240,000 TEU. Furthermore, six container ships have been ordered to support the development of maritime transport.
Facilitating Trade Between Countries
The parties also discussed measures to improve the efficiency of transporting goods between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It was noted that the volume of Uzbek cargo processed through the Aktau and Kyryk ports has grown by more than 60% in 2025 due to favorable tariff conditions and the development of railway and port infrastructure.
Following the negotiations, the prime ministers instructed the national railway companies, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Uzbekistan Temir Yullari, to prepare a specific plan for further increasing freight volumes along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
