India-Kazakhstan Container Train Launched, Boosting Regional Trade

In a significant development for international freight transport, three major logistics and rail companies in Asia have collaborated to launch the first-ever India-Kazakhstan Container Train. This new service establishes a direct rail connection between the two countries, passing through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, aiming to streamline trade and logistics while reducing delivery times.

The initiative is led by Kedentransservice, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), along with Uztemiryulcontainer, the freight forwarding arm of Uzbekistan Railways, and the Transport and Logistics Centre of Turkmenistan (TULM). These partners have joined forces to offer a seamless, rail-based transport solution to meet the rising demand for containerized shipments along this corridor.

The inaugural train, carrying 12 twenty-foot containers filled with ceramic tiles, departed from Mundra Port in Gujarat, India’s first private port, heading towards Sorokovaya station in Astana, Kazakhstan. Mundra Port has long served as a key hub for Indian exports, and this new service enhances connectivity between India and Central Asia.
Previously, Uztemiryulcontainer had facilitated transport from Indian ports such as Mundra, Nhava Sheva, and Chennai to Uzbekistan via the Port of Bandar Abbas in Iran, followed by rail transport to Uzbekistan’s Sergeli station. This new service, however, provides a more direct rail connection between India and Kazakhstan, significantly expanding trade opportunities.

The journey covers 1,585 kilometers by sea and 4,300 kilometers by rail, with an estimated transit time of 25-30 days, depending on port conditions at Bandar Abbas. This timeframe is expected to be a considerable improvement over traditional shipping routes.

The launch of this service aligns with broader efforts to develop the eastern route of the North-South Transport Corridor, enhancing connectivity between India, Iran, and Central Asia. This corridor is set to revolutionize regional trade by reducing transportation costs, improving delivery timelines, and offering greater logistical flexibility. The initiative is expected to create new trade opportunities for importers and exporters across all participating nations.

The India-Kazakhstan Container Train commenced operations on March 4, 2025, and is expected to reach its destination by the end of March or early April, marking the successful implementation of this pioneering transportation service.