China plans to increase freight shipments to Europe, bypassing Russia

China is seeking to significantly expand its logistics capacity for trade with European countries, bypassing Russian territory due to Moscow’s toxicity, its status as a sanctioned entity, and its unreliability as a partner. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which runs through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, is set to become the main instrument for achieving this goal. 

This was stated by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

This combined trade route spans over 4,250 kilometers, making it a longer and more complex option compared to transit through Russia, as it involves the use of railways, ports, ferry crossings, and customs procedures in several different countries. The longest section of the corridor runs through Kazakhstan, whose government is actively involved in the project. Beijing’s desire to diversify its supply routes is also driven by efforts to reduce reliance on currently unstable maritime routes.

To implement joint plans with China, the national company “Kazakhstan Railways” intends to invest approximately $10 billion in a large-scale modernization of its infrastructure by 2030. Specifically, the construction of 900 kilometers of new railway tracks is planned for this year. In addition, to renew its rolling stock and further develop logistics routes, the Kazakh side plans to list its shares on stock exchanges in London, Hong Kong, and domestically in 2026.

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