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Eurasian Logistics Gains New Air and Maritime Gateways

Aug 26
2 min read

🚨 Market Signal

This week’s developments point to a broader diversification of Eurasian freight routes across maritime, air cargo and multimodal networks. The China–Europe Arctic Express has moved to weekly operations, offering a seasonal northern alternative to traditional Suez routing, while Kazakhstan and Türkiye have opened the door to significantly higher cargo flight frequencies. At the same time, daily Liège–Central Asia freighter services are increasing regular European air cargo access to the region, and Uzbekistan is advancing a 500,000-tonne logistics hub at Poti Port to strengthen Black Sea connectivity.


In this edition, we explore how new maritime routes, higher air cargo capacity and Black Sea logistics infrastructure are creating more routing options between China, Central Asia and Europe.



China–Europe Arctic Express Moves to Weekly Operations

The China–Europe Arctic Express entered regular weekly operations adding a seasonal maritime alternative between China and Northern Europe via the Arctic’s Northeast Passage.


  • The service departs from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and calls at Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gdynia.

  • Eight scheduled voyages are planned for the 2026 summer navigation season, with seven vessels deployed on the route.

  • Target China–Europe transit time is approximately 20–22 days, compared with around 30–40 days or more via the Suez Canal.

  • Cargo includes energy-storage systems, power batteries, solar modules and other new-energy equipment originating from Chinese manufacturing hubs.



Kazakhstan and Türkiye Expand Cargo Flight Rights

Airlines from each country may operate up to 38 scheduled cargo frequencies per week.


  • This creates potential bilateral capacity of up to 76 weekly cargo flights if fully utilised.

  • The agreement also provides greater flexibility for new routes and additional traffic rights. The two aviation authorities agreed to deepen cooperation in ground handling, airport operations, maintenance and digitalisation.


Daily Liège, Belgium–Central Asia Cargo Flights Begin

My Freighter moved its Liège, Belgium–Central Asia cargo service to a daily schedule from 15 August, increasing regular European freighter capacity into the region.


  • The service connects Liège, Belgium with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

  • Cargo categories include express freight, dangerous goods, oversized cargo, vehicles and perishables.

  • The daily schedule strengthens regular air cargo connectivity between Western Europe and Central Asia.

  • Liège is one of Europe’s major cargo airports and serves as an important gateway for time-sensitive freight moving into the region.



Uzbekistan Reaffirms 500,000-Tonne Poti Logistics Hub

Uzbekistan confirmed plans to commission a new logistics centre at Georgia’s Poti Port in 2027, strengthening the country’s access to Black Sea and European markets.


  • The planned facility will have annual handling capacity of 500,000 tonnes.

  • The project is intended to support Uzbekistan’s westbound multimodal freight flows through Georgia and the Black Sea.

  • Uzbekistan is also moving toward participation in the Anaklia deep-sea port project, which could further diversify access to maritime corridors.

  • The initiative complements Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to develop alternative transport routes beyond traditional land corridors.


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