JSC KTZ Express has successfully completed a pilot export shipment of Kazakhstan-origin crushed rice to the Port of Antwerp, Kingdom of Belgium, via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).
The shipment was organized in a multimodal format, integrating rail and maritime transportation across the Caspian and Black Seas. The logistics chain followed the route: Kyzylorda – Port of Aktau – Port of Poti – Port of Antwerp, combining railway infrastructure with sea freight operations at key transit points.
The maritime leg between the Port of Poti and the Port of Antwerp was carried out with the participation of the international shipping major CMA CGM Group, further strengthening connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.
Previously, shipments along this corridor were primarily transported via the overland Northern Corridor route through the Semiglavy Mar border crossing, with onward transit through Brest, Duisburg, and Antwerp. The adoption of TITR infrastructure has significantly optimized logistics performance. Transportation costs via the Trans-Caspian route are lower compared to the Northern Corridor, while maintaining a competitive transit time of approximately 30 days.
The successful pilot confirms KTZ Express’s readiness to scale up international multimodal services and highlights the growing competitiveness of the Trans-Caspian route as an efficient and cost-effective logistics solution for exports to Europe.
The company continues to develop alternative transport corridors, diversify supply routes, and strengthen the transit potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan, thereby expanding access to international markets for domestic producers.
