- Rhenus, Port of Aktau and Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, are moving forward with a project for a trimodal container terminal on the Caspian Sea.
- The partnership supports the development of transport links between Kazakhstan and Germany as part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR) and the EU’s “Global Gateway” initiative.
- The project in Aktau is part of Rhenus’s long-term strategy to further develop its own logistics network between China, Central Asia, the Caspian region, and Europe.
Rhenus Group continues to expand its presence in Kazakhstan. As part of the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Germany, Rhenus Group and Aktau International Sea Trade Port signed an agreement defining the next steps for the joint development of a trimodal container terminal project on the Caspian Sea.
The project is part of Rhenus’ long-term strategy to strengthen efficient, reliable transport chains between China, Central Asia, the Caspian region, and Europe. The aim is not only to create additional capacity, but also to gradually integrate existing and new logistics solutions along the Trans-Caspian Corridor into a resilient and interconnected network.
“The strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is now hardly in question. The key challenge is to bring individual infrastructure projects together step by step into an efficient network in which capacity, operational services and strong partnerships work seamlessly along the entire route. Kazakhstan plays a key role in connecting China, Central Asia, the Caspian region and Europe. The next joint steps with our partners are therefore important building blocks in our long-term commitment to the region,” says Tobias Bartz, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Rhenus Group.
Aktau as a multimodal logistics hub on the Caspian Sea
The focus of further cooperation is the development of a trimodal container terminal at Aktau International Sea Trade Port. The signed agreement provides the basis for moving into the next stages of joint project preparation.
The planned terminal is intended to connect maritime, rail, and road transport and will be developed on a site of at least 30 hectares. According to the current project design, the terminal is expected to provide additional handling capacity of at least 150,000 TEU per year. This would increase capacity on the Caspian section of the route and further strengthen Aktau’s role as one of the key logistics hubs along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
The development in Aktau is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Kazakh section of the Middle Corridor. In this context, Rhenus also works closely with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazakhstan’s national railway company. The cooperation focuses on expanding capacity along the corridor and creating the conditions needed to accommodate growing cargo flows.
Aktau illustrates the importance of close integration between different modes of transport, infrastructure operators, and logistics partners for the further development of the corridor.
“Cooperation with Rhenus opens up new opportunities to develop Kazakhstan’s transit potential. The joint terminal project at the Port of Aktau will become an important element of our logistics infrastructure and provide a foundation for further deepening our partnership. We are interested in continuing our cooperation with Rhenus, including the expansion of the terminal network in key markets across Europe and Asia, as well as the development of infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route,” says Yelzhas Otynshiyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.
The next stages of the project will include an analysis of expected cargo flows and a further assessment of the project’s technical and economic feasibility.
From individual projects to an integrated logistics network
Rhenus has been active in Kazakhstan for 30 years and is increasingly complementing its operational presence with targeted investments. At the beginning of 2026, the company expanded its network through the acquisition of a rail-connected terminal in the Almaty region. The site provides additional terminal, depot and multimodal capacity and strengthens the region’s connections to international transport routes.
Rhenus’ approach extends beyond Kazakhstan. Today, the Group is present in the key markets along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye. Its long-term objective is to more closely integrate terminals, depots, rail and maritime services, and freight forwarding activities along the entire route, gradually connecting them to the company’s European logistics and terminal network. In this way, individual infrastructure projects are intended to develop step by step into a more reliable and predictable logistics network between Asia and Europe.
