Kazakhstan has joined a transport route that bypasses Russia

A Kazakh multimodal terminal, considered a key part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, has begun operations at the Port of Poti in Georgia, reports Adyrna citing Kazinform. The facility has become part of the Middle Corridor, connecting China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and onward to European countries. The opening ceremony was attended by official representatives from Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. According to Olzhas Arykbai, CEO of Poti Transterminal JSC, the project was implemented in full compliance with Georgia’s environmental, fire safety, and engineering standards. The terminal is equipped with modern machinery, including Austrian reach stackers and Chinese cranes capable of handling up to 25 containers per hour. In the first phase, the terminal’s throughput capacity is 120,000 tons per year, with plans for expansion in the future. According to Kassym Tlepov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Ministry of Transport, the terminal’s launch is a strategic step to increase freight transport via the Trans-Caspian route. “Last year, we transported 4.5 million tons of cargo, a 60% increase. In the next three years, we aim to increase this figure to 10 million tons per year. The Poti terminal will allow us to handle a major portion of cargo shipments from China to Europe,” he said. It’s worth noting that freight traffic between Kazakhstan and Georgia via the Trans-Caspian route increased by 62% last year. The Port of Poti is a crucial link in the transit route that bypasses Russia. In 2024, container turnover reached 545,297 TEUs.