In a recent meeting held in Moscow, representatives from Russian Railways and Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) reviewed traffic volumes along the North-South transport corridor. The discussion focused on current flow levels, performance indicators, and the practical implications for cross-border rail operations, with a clear emphasis on cooperative planning and data-driven decision making as reported by the KTZ website.
For the year 2023, freight activity between Kazakhstan and Russia saw a measurable rise, increasing by 5.4 percent and surpassing 83.8 million tons. This growth was attributed to sustained demand across key sectors, improved routing efficiencies, and concerted efforts to streamline intergovernmental logistics protocols. The parties took stock of the year’s joint efforts, underscoring the importance of strengthening collaboration in railway transport and logistics, and highlighting initiatives aimed at expanding transport volumes while boosting the efficiency of interstate connection points. This assessment reflects a shared commitment to more seamless cargo flows and reliable cross-border service for shippers in both economies.
The core topic of the discussions centered on the main development directions for transport corridors that traverse the territories of both the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. The dialogue also addressed coordination of traffic volumes along the eastern leg of the international North-South transport corridor, with a forward-looking horizon extending to 2030. The conversations were framed around aligning infrastructure use, scheduling, and capacity planning to support long-term regional trade, while maintaining robust oversight of corridor performance and safety standards across borders.
Both railways agreed to enhance bilateral transportation volumes from Kazakhstan to Russia and vice versa by leveraging electronic shipping documents. This move is intended to simplify administrative processes, reduce cycle times, and improve visibility for shippers. The adoption of digital interchange mechanisms is seen as a practical step toward greater operational efficiency, smoother customs interactions, and improved reliability of consignments moving along the North-South route.
On a separate note, December 7 saw clarification from Russian Railways denying reports that passenger databases had been compromised or leaked within the network. This reassurance emphasized ongoing security measures and data protection protocols, underscoring the importance of maintaining passenger privacy and safeguarding critical information in a rapidly evolving digital transport environment.
Earlier remarks by Tokayev had highlighted Kazakhstan’s aim to pursue broad, substantive cooperation with the Russian Federation. The articulated intent reflects a strategic desire to deepen integration across rail infrastructure, logistics services, and cross-border operations, reinforcing confidence in sustained collaboration between the two nations. The discussions are viewed as a cornerstone for advancing shared transport interests, improving regional connectivity, and supporting economic activity along the corridor for businesses and communities across both countries.