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See the Signals Before the Disruption

  • Writer: Nadira Islamova
    Nadira Islamova
  • Jan 21
  • 2 min read

🚨 Market Signal

Central Asia is no longer an alternative route - it is becoming a strategic one.


As Europe and China recalibrate supply chains amid geopolitical and capacity risks, investment, policy and carrier decisions are increasingly converging on the Middle Corridor and adjacent multimodal solutions.


This week’s signals confirm one thing: route diversification is accelerating and becoming permanent.



€10bn EU Funding Accelerate China–Europe Cargo via the Middle Corridor

The European Union is directing a significant portion of its €12 billion Global Gateway package for Central Asia toward the development of the Trans-Caspian corridor, a key route linking Europe and the region. The announcement follows last week’s visit to Uzbekistan by European Commissioners Jozef Síkela and Marta Kos, who met with local officials to outline the investment program and discuss priority sectors. Transport will receive the largest share, nearly €10 billion, with a strong emphasis on expanding the Middle Corridor. The Trans-Caspian trade route, which can connect Europe and Central Asia in just 15 days, featured prominently in discussions in Tashkent.


  • Investment Surge: Major EU funding will improve infrastructure and throughput along the corridor.

  • Transit Reliability: Well-funded transport projects reduce risk of bottlenecks for China–Europe shipments.



Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Activate New Corridors Deepening Connectivity

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are beginning the implementation of a pilot multimodal transport corridor along the route China - Tajikistan - Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Turkey - Europe. Plans also include increasing the capacity of the Jartepa - Sarazm border checkpoint on the Uzbek-Tajik border. A new logistics center will be established there, capable of handling up to 100 cargo trucks per day and promptly processing the required documentation.


  • Border Efficiency: Faster customs clearance and documentation

  • Route Flexibility: Multimodal corridor opens alternative paths for China-Europe shipments.

  • Scalable Operations: High throughput at Jartepa-Sarazm checkpoint supports growing cargo volumes.



Central Asia Strengthens Connectivity Accelerating China-Europe Trade Flows via the Middle Corridor

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Central Asia has emerged as a critical hub in a reshaped Eurasian trade network. Countries from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan (including Uzbekistan) are diversifying transit routes to reduce dependence on Russia, giving new prominence to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) - better known as the Middle Corridor, bypassing traditional northern routes through Russia.


  • Capacity: Growing rail and road options support higher freight volumes

  • Speed: Bypassing northern routes can shorten transit times for China-Europe shipments.

  • Reliability: Reduced reliance on Russia lowers geopolitical risk and delay


Leadership Perspective

Bahtiyar Nomozbaev, CEO, CargoPoint


The scale and consistency of public investment confirm that Central Asia is becoming structurally embedded in China-Europe logistics planning. CargoPoint has pioneered China-Europe multimodal logistics solutions via Tashkent, Uzbekistan connecting China origin shipments to Europe combining sustainable road transport with the strength of air freight, balancing transit time, risk and reliability - even outside peak disruption periods.


In 2026, resilience and optionality will matter more than speed alone across China-Europe freight strategies. Uzbekistan continue to play a prominent role in shaping a future of China-Europe connectivity.





For logistics planning and execution, contact CargoPoint:

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