Kazakhstan is set to enhance its transit capabilities by developing a new transport route along the cross-border Irtysh River, aiming to establish a direct connection between Russia and China. The announcement was made by the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Marat Karabaev, during a recent government meeting, TuraNews.kz reports.
Minister Karabaev emphasized the importance of tapping into the transit potential of the Irtysh River to create a novel transportation link between the two neighboring countries.
“The development of transit opportunities of the cross-border Irtysh River will allow connecting Russia and China with a new transport link,” stated Marat Karabaev.
To materialize this ambitious project, the Ministry of Transport plans to construct a new shipping lock in the vicinity of the city of Semeya. Additionally, a port will be established in the Tugyl settlement area, accompanied by the laying of a railway connecting Tugyl to the Maikapchagai border with China, spanning a distance of 99 kilometers. The projected transportation capacity for the route is estimated to range between 2 and 2.5 million tons.
This strategic initiative aims to foster closer economic ties and bolster trade activities between Kazakhstan, Russia, and China, leveraging the geographical advantage of the Irtysh River for efficient and seamless cross-border connectivity. The proposed developments are poised to contribute significantly to the regional transportation infrastructure, promoting increased trade volumes and facilitating smoother transportation of goods between the involved nations.
