Freight News, Rail

China plans direct rail route to Europe

[ February 8, 2016   //   Chris ]

China is building a standard gauge rail line across Kazakhstan from Dostyk to the Caspian Sea Port of Aktau, as part of a scheme to build a transhipment-free rail link to Europe, reports Russia Supply Chain chief executive, Alexander Rogan. When fully realised, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route could transform Eurasian trade, says its founders, the governments of Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and, as of 16 January, 2016. The route could be a powerful competitor to the Transiberian route from China to Europe via Russia, which is hampered by the need to switch between standard gauge (1435mm) wagons and the broader gauge (1520mm) Russian rails.

Tags: Russia Supply Chain