KTZ stated that this result reflects steadily growing demand for container transport via the Caspian Sea.
Why did throughput increase?
According to KTZ, the increase was driven by higher cargo traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), the development of container infrastructure along the corridor, and expanded operational capacities of both the railway and the port.
What is the current capacity of the new container hub?
According to PortNews, a new container terminal at Aktau Port entered commercial operation in the summer of 2026, raising the port's container handling capacity to 140 thousand TEU per year.
Who owns and operates Aktau Port?
According to PortNews, Aktau Port is owned by Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund and operated under the management of KTZ. Located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, the port handles dry bulk cargo, crude oil, and refined petroleum products.
FAQ
Where do these figures come from?
They were released by the KTZ press service and reported by media outlets including PortNews and Adyrna.
By how much did September throughput increase compared to last year?
It increased by 80%, reaching 10186 TEU.
What cargo does this figure include?
KTZ published the overall container throughput of Aktau Port in TEU without breaking down by cargo category.
Rules related to this news
What was the terminal's capacity prior to the expansion?
The sources cited in this article do not provide capacity figures prior to the expansion.
Is this news related to China?
Yes. According to a 16 July report by Sputnik Kazakhstan citing KTZ, the Aktau container hub is a collaborative project involving KTZ, Aktau International Sea Commercial Port, and China's Lianyungang Port Group, forming an integrated transport chain with Lianyungang and the Khorgos Gateway dry port.
Related reading
- Previous article in series: Aktau container hub launched with participation of Lianyungang and KTZ
- Port zone project: SEZ Khorgos Eastern Gate
- More industry and policy updates: Kazakhstan investment and project news
Sources
- PortNews, 9 October, citing the KTZ press service: https://portnews.ru/news/398081/
- Sputnik Kazakhstan, 16 July, citing KTZ: https://ru.sputnik.kz/20260716/krupneyshiy-konteynernyy-terminal-v-akvatorii-kaspiyskogo-morya-vveli-v-ekspluatatsiyu-v-aktau-64946809.html
- Adyrna, 8 October, citing the KTZ press service: https://www.adyrna.kz/kk/post/1247583
Image alt: Neatly stacked shipping containers in a port yard. Illustration: AI-generated image, not a real photo.
Illustration: AI-generated, not a real photograph.
Cover image is AI-generated, not a real photograph.