ASTANA – Rhenus Group, a global logistics and supply chain company, and Aktau International Sea Trade Port are advancing plans to develop a trimodal container terminal in Aktau, designed to connect maritime, rail and road transport and strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a key logistics hub along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or the Middle Corridor.
Photo credit: Rhenus
The agreement outlining the project’s next steps was signed on Sept. 30 during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Germany.
The project is part of Rhenus’ long-term strategy to strengthen transport links between China, Central Asia, the Caspian region and Europe, and supports the development of the Middle Corridor as part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, Rhenus press service reported.
“The strategic importance of the TITR is now hardly in question. The key challenge is to bring individual infrastructure projects together step by step into an efficient network in which capacity, operational services and strong partnerships work seamlessly along the entire route,” said Tobias Bartz, CEO and chairman of the Management Board of Rhenus Group.
Aktau to strengthen its multimodal role
The planned trimodal container terminal at Aktau International Sea Trade Port will connect maritime, rail and road transport. It will be developed on a site of at least 30 hectares and is expected to provide additional handling capacity of at least 150,000 TEU annually.
The project would increase capacity on the Caspian section of the TITR and strengthen Aktau’s role as a key logistics hub.
Rhenus is also working closely with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country’s state railway operator, to expand corridor capacity and build the infrastructure needed to accommodate growing cargo flows.
“Cooperation with Rhenus opens up new opportunities to develop Kazakhstan’s transit potential. The joint terminal project at the Aktau Port will become an important element of our logistics infrastructure and provide a foundation for deepening our partnership,” said Yelzhas Otynshiyev, KTZ chair.
The next stages will include an analysis of expected cargo flows and assessment of the project’s technical and economic feasibility.
Building an integrated logistics network
Rhenus has operated in Kazakhstan for 30 years and has expanded its presence through targeted investments. At the beginning of this year, the company acquired a rail-connected terminal in the Almaty Region, adding terminal, depot and multimodal capacity and strengthening the region’s links to international transport routes.
Beyond Kazakhstan, Rhenus is present in key markets along the Middle Corridor, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Uzbekistan.
The company’s long-term objective is to integrate terminals, depots, rail and maritime services and freight forwarding activities along the route and connect them with its European logistics and terminal network.
The approach is intended to gradually develop individual infrastructure projects into a more reliable and predictable logistics network between Asia and Europe.
About Rhenus
Rhenus Group is a global logistics company with annual turnover of 8.2 billion euros (US$9.3 billion). It employs 39,000 people at 1,300 sites in more than 70 countries, providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance and other supply chain services.
