Kazakhstan is pushing to strengthen its role as a Eurasian logistics hub. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Rhenus Group CEO Tobias Bartz discussed new infrastructure projects and the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route during a meeting in Berlin on September 29, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks focused on moving the long-standing partnership with the German logistics group towards new practical projects, including Rhenus Group’s participation in the multimodal hub at the Port of Aktau.
Aktau hub moves into focus
Tokayev welcomed Rhenus Group’s participation in the multimodal hub project at the Port of Aktau, one of Kazakhstan’s key gateways on the Caspian Sea.
The project fits into Kazakhstan’s broader effort to strengthen the infrastructure supporting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
Tokayev called for joint work to create a competitive logistics corridor supported by:
- modern ports and terminals;
- expanded railway infrastructure;
- multimodal transport links;
- digital logistics services.
For Kazakhstan, the objective extends beyond increasing transit volumes. The country aims to establish itself as one of the continent’s major logistics hubs by connecting rail, maritime and terminal infrastructure into a more efficient transport network.
Kazakhstan wants a more competitive Middle Corridor
The Trans-Caspian route received particular attention during the meeting.
Running through Kazakhstan and across the Caspian Sea towards the South Caucasus and Europe, the corridor has become a central part of the country’s transport strategy.
The challenge now is to ensure that infrastructure develops alongside growing demand. Ports, railways, terminals and digital services have to work as a single logistics system if the route is to compete effectively with alternative Eurasian trade corridors.
Rhenus Group already has an established presence in Kazakhstan, giving the talks a practical foundation for further expansion.
Rhenus signals interest in new projects
Tobias Bartz described Kazakhstan as having significant potential to become a major transport and logistics hub.
He also confirmed Rhenus Group’s interest in participating in joint projects in the country.
The German company’s involvement could be particularly relevant to Kazakhstan’s efforts to connect domestic infrastructure with international logistics networks and attract experienced global operators to projects along the Middle Corridor.
The meeting ended with both sides confirming their readiness to expand cooperation across several areas.
For Kazakhstan, the next step is moving from logistics potential to infrastructure capable of handling larger and more complex cargo flows. Rhenus Group’s participation in the Aktau multimodal hub could become one of the projects through which that strategy takes practical shape.
We previously reported on Kazakhstan’s plans to develop the Middle Corridor and expand Caspian logistics infrastructure, including new terminal capacity designed to strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe.
