U.S. Trade Mission Visits Aktau to Explore the Potential of the Trans-Caspian Route
A delegation of the largest U.S. trade mission in Central Asia visited Mangystau region as part of its program in Kazakhstan. The visit aimed to familiarize with the region’s investment potential and the advantages of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, Middle Corridor).
As part of the program, a roundtable was held with representatives of the Mangystau business community. On the Kazakh side, project manager of JSC “NC KAZAKH INVEST” Aliya Abdildina delivered a presentation, providing an overview of the region’s investment opportunities and highlighting Aktau’s role as a key hub of the TITR.
Speaking at the roundtable, project manager of JSC “NC KAZAKH INVEST” Aliya Abdildina noted that Kazakhstan views the Trans-Caspian route not merely as a transit direction, but as a strategic investment in the future of Eurasian connectivity. She emphasized that in 2024 alone, the volume of cargo transported along the route grew by 60%, reaching 4.5 million tons, which demonstrates its growing competitiveness in global supply chains.
“For Kazakhstan, the development of the TITR is not a short-term response to challenges but a long-term priority. We are investing in the modernization of railway and port infrastructure, digitalization, and simplification of procedures. Thanks to these measures, transit times are being reduced, efficiency is increasing, and we are confident that the route will become even more attractive for international partners,” she said.
The U.S. delegation also visited Aktau International Sea Commercial Port, where they familiarized themselves with the logistics capabilities and infrastructure for multimodal transportation. Participants highlighted the high potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, stressing its growing role in ensuring connectivity between Asia and Europe. It was noted that last year the volume of transit shipments along the route nearly doubled, confirming its attractiveness for international companies and its significance for the development of regional trade.
Mangystau region plays a key role in realizing the country’s transit potential. The region hosts three ports – Aktau, Kuryk, and the private Sarzha terminal – with a combined capacity of over 17 million tons of cargo per year. The development of these hubs strengthens Kazakhstan’s position as a strategic participant of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
At the conclusion of the visit to Aktau, representatives of the U.S. trade mission emphasized their readiness to further expand cooperation in logistics and investment. The Kazakh side expressed confidence that strengthening interaction within the framework of the Trans-Caspian route would not only enhance the region’s transit potential but also create new opportunities for business and diversify trade chains.
