New Eurasian Routes Meet a Caspian Capacity Test

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Freight routes already moving cargo are setting the tone across Eurasia. China has launched its first full Trans-Caspian train from Lianyungang, while Air China Cargo has opened a new direct freight link between northwest China and the UK. Across Central Asia, rail freight is seeing strong agricultural cargo growth, but falling Caspian Sea levels are creating a physical capacity constraint for vessels. Uzbekistan is also becoming more deeply integrated into active Eurasian flows through a new China–Iran block train and an operating China–Europe Truck+Air e-commerce corridor via Tashkent.

In this edition, we explore how new freight lanes, rising rail volumes and emerging capacity constraints are reshaping cargo movement across China, Central Asia and Europe.

Lianyungang Launches First Full Trans-Caspian Freight Train

Lianyungang launched its first full Trans-Caspian freight train on 10 September, creating a more integrated rail-sea connection from eastern China toward Europe through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea.

The train travels through Khorgos and Kazakhstan to Aktau, where cargo transfers to a vessel bound for Baku.
Integration of the Lianyungang, Khorgos–Eastern Gate and Aktau hubs is expected to cut total transit time by approximately five days.
Cumulative freight transported on Lianyungang’s Trans-Caspian route has exceeded 2,800 TEUs as of September 2026.

Air China Cargo Opens Direct Ürümqi–Glasgow Freight Link

Air China Cargo began a new direct cargo service between Ürümqi Tianshan and Glasgow Prestwick on 13 September, adding another scheduled China–Europe air freight connection.

The new cargo route operates twice weekly.
Prestwick now handles 16 scheduled weekly services to and from mainland China, including connections with Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
The airport’s cargo tonnage has quadrupled year-on-year, while the route also supports time-sensitive UK exports including seafood.

Falling Caspian Levels Cut Effective Ferry Cargo Capacity

The falling level of the Caspian Sea is becoming an operational constraint for Middle Corridor shipping, reducing vessel loading capacity between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company said one ferry can now carry only around 80% of a full cargo load from Kazakhstan.
Some Caspian vessels are operating at just 75–80% of capacity, increasing the number of voyages needed for the same cargo volume.
Kazakhstan has already completed major dredging at Kuryk, while further dredging and berth works are underway at Aktau to maintain vessel access.

Kazakhstan Rail Grain Shipments Reach 9.3 Million Tonnes

Kazakhstan transported 9.3 million tonnes of grain by rail in January–August 2026, reflecting stronger agricultural freight flows across Central Asian and China-bound routes.

Total rail grain shipments increased 13% year-on-year, while exports rose 14% to 7.2 million tonnes.
Central Asian markets received 4.8 million tonnes, up 37%, including 3.6 million tonnes to Uzbekistan, a 50% increase.
Rail grain shipments to China reached 558,000 tonnes, up 33% year-on-year.

First China–Iran Block Train Launches via Uzbekistan

The first dedicated China–Iran block train has entered operation through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, creating a new active rail connection between China and Iran through Central Asia.

The inaugural train consists of 55 wagons carrying automotive components, consumer goods and consolidated cargo.
The route runs for more than 6,000 km from Chengxiang in China through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan toward Sarakhs on the Turkmenistan–Iran border.
The train departed Altynkol on 7 September, with an estimated end-to-end transit time of 14–16 days.

China–Europe E-Commerce Corridor via Tashkent Completes Seven Flights

Uzbekistan Airports and My Freighter are operating a Truck+Air e-commerce corridor from China to Europe via Tashkent, with seven cargo flights already completed by 9 September.

Cargo moves by road from Chinese cities to Tashkent, where it is transferred to air freight bound for Liège, Belgium.
The corridor began operating on 22 August and had completed seven flights by the latest operational update.
Each flight carries approximately 50 tonnes, combining China-origin trucking with European air cargo distribution.