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Eurasian Logistics Pivots to Faster Multimodal Connectivity

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  • 3 min read

🚨 Market Signal


China–Europe logistics is showing a more balanced mix of rail growth, air cargo stabilization and infrastructure investment. Rail services from Xi’an are increasingly being used for time-sensitive manufactured goods, while China–Europe air cargo volumes posted their first weekly recovery since June. At the same time, Kazakhstan is focusing on Middle Corridor reliability and airport cargo capacity, while Uzbekistan is advancing a major multimodal dry port project in Tashkent.


In this edition, we explore how faster rail services, recovering air cargo demand and new logistics infrastructure are shaping the next phase of Eurasian freight connectivity.



China–Europe Rail Moves 34,000 Cooling Appliances to European Markets

China Railway Express services from Xi’an have transported more than 34,000 cooling appliances to 15 European countries this year, highlighting rail’s growing role for time-sensitive manufactured goods.


  • A train carrying air conditioners departed Xi’an for Mannheim, Germany, on 24 August, with an expected transit time of around 12 days.

  • Comparable maritime transport takes approximately 40 days, according to Xi’an International Land Port.

  • Xi’an operates regular full-timetable services to Duisburg, Prague and Budapest.

  • Authorities have introduced priority customs, inspection and container-allocation procedures for growing refrigeration-product exports.


China–Europe Air Cargo Shows First Weekly Recovery Since June

Air cargo volumes from mainland China and Hong Kong to Europe edged upward in week 34 after several weeks of decline, suggesting that the market may be beginning to stabilize at a lower level.


  • Combined China/Hong Kong–Europe chargeable weight increased 1% week-on-week during 17–23 August.

  • Mainland China–Europe volumes remained 8% below last year, while Hong Kong–Europe was down 33% year-on-year.

  • Mainland China–Europe spot rates recovered to US$4.14/kg, rising for a third consecutive week.

  • Rates remain around 24% below their mid-June peak of US$5.43/kg.



Middle Corridor Faces a Reliability Test at the Caspian and Borders

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is increasingly focused on synchronizing ports, railways, customs systems and vessel capacity rather than developing individual infrastructure projects in isolation.


  • Middle Corridor container traffic increased 36% in 2025 to around 77,000 TEUs, although total freight volume declined slightly to approximately 4.12 million tonnes.

  • Kazakhstan’s Tez Customs platform has reduced rail transit clearance at the China–Kazakhstan border to around 30 minutes.

  • KTZ Express plans to acquire 6 multipurpose container vessels to address Caspian shipping constraints.

  • China and Kazakhstan target 1,000 Middle Corridor container trains in 2027 and 2,000 by 2029.


Almaty Handles Nearly Two-Thirds of Kazakhstan’s Airport Cargo

Kazakhstan’s airports handled 102,500 tonnes of cargo in January–July 2026, reinforcing the country’s growing role in Eurasian air freight networks.


  • Airport cargo volumes increased approximately 10% year-on-year.

  • Almaty Airport handled 66,100 tonnes, accounting for more than 64% of Kazakhstan’s total airport cargo.

  • Kazakhstan is investing in cargo infrastructure alongside growing freighter activity through Astana and Almaty.

  • The development strategy increasingly links airports with railways, highways, warehousing and export logistics.



US$288 Million Tashkent Dry Port Moves Toward Construction

DP World plans to begin construction of a major multimodal logistics terminal in Tashkent in October 2026, bringing rail, road, warehousing and customs operations together at one inland hub.


  • Total investment across three phases exceeds US$288 million.

  • The project will occupy approximately 82 hectares in the Yangi Avlod Special Industrial Zone.

  • Phase one includes a rail terminal with annual capacity of 150,000 TEUs and 63,000 m² of warehousing.

  • The hub will have its own freight railway station and direct access to Uzbekistan’s national rail network, highways and Tashkent International Airport.


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