The National Railway Company of Uzbekistan has announced the launch of a new multimodal route for cargo transport, connecting China to Afghanistan through Central Asia. This initiative is part of efforts to expand transit routes and increase efficiency in goods transportation in the region.
According to Uzbek media reports, the route involves transporting containerized goods by train from China, entering Uzbekistan via the Altynkol station in Kazakhstan. The goods are then reloaded in Uzbekistan and prepared for the next leg of the journey.
Next, the cargo is transported by trucks through Turkmenistan and ultimately reaches the city of Herat in western Afghanistan. This combination of rail and road transport provides a new route for regional trade.
Reports indicate that previously, goods were mainly transported via the maritime route from China to Bandar Abbas in Iran and then sent overland to Afghanistan. The new route has been introduced as an alternative to this process.
The total length of the route is reported to be approximately 7,400 kilometers, with an average transit time of around 30 days—a factor that could improve efficiency and reduce transit time.
Following recent political developments in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan has increased its trade relations with the Taliban government and has sought to expand its economic cooperation in the region.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
