The start of construction of the Beyneu–Saksaulsk highway in August 2026 marks the latest step in Kazakhstan’s effort to expand its role in Eurasian logistics. By shortening existing transit routes through Kazakhstan by almost 1,000 kilometers, the project is designed to strengthen the country’s position along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, supported by Kazakhstan’s broader transport development strategy, which combines road, rail, maritime, and air infrastructure.
The road that shortens the way
At the beginning of August 2026, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the start of construction of three large highway projects: Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk, Ulgaysyn–Saksaulsk and Beyneu–Saksaulsk. Beyneu–Saksaulsk has a distinct strategic role, as it involves the construction of a new road that will significantly shorten part of the existing transit routes through Kazakhstan, including those for cargo from China to the Kazakh Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk and further to European markets.
According to the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, the Beyneu–Saksaulsk highway will pass through the Mangystau, Aktobe and Kyzylorda regions, including desert areas, and is scheduled for completion by 2029. The project is expected to shorten the existing transit routes through Kazakstan by almost 1,000 kilometers. The new road will reduce delivery times to three days and increase cargo volumes along the route by 2.5 times.
“The main goal is to transform our country into one of the leading logistics hubs connecting Europe and Asia. The Beyneu–Saksaulsk highway will undoubtedly become a key transport artery of national, regional and transcontinental importance,” Tokayev said.
Europe’s route to China
According to Kazakhstan’s government, the highway will become part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, one of the infrastructure initiatives supported by the European Union under its Global Gateway strategy. The program is often viewed as Europe’s counterpart to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
TITR and its longest Kazakhstan leg have strategic importance for Europe, as the route connects it with China through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and further to the west. In 2025, China accounted for the biggest value of EU imports, worth €559.4 billion (up 6.4% compared with 2024), with a total share of 22.3% of all imports. The scale of EU–China trade highlights the importance of reliable and diversified transport links between Europe and Asia.
The project is part of a wider effort to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which has attracted growing interest from the European Union. In late June 2026, the European Commission reached agreements with international financial institutions to mobilize up to €2 billion in investment for transport connectivity projects linked to the corridor.
In April 2026, Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) and Polish State Railways discussed further development of the route. The meeting was attended by Alan Beroud, CEO of Polish State Railways, who also chairs the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER). According to KTZ, container traffic between China and Poland via Kazakhstan increased by 44% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 75,400 TEU, while total freight volumes between Kazakhstan and Poland grew 1.5 times to 752,000 tones.
Kazakh multimodal logistics network
Rail infrastructure remains a key component of the corridor. One of its largest projects was the construction of a second track on the Dostyk–Moyynty railway section, which increased the route’s capacity fivefold. Completed in 2025, the project required investment of KZT 543 billion, equivalent to approximately €981,6 million based on the National Bank of Kazakhstan’s average official exchange rate for the second quarter of 2026.
Air cargo is becoming another part of Kazakhstan’s logistics strategy. Private investors are also contributing to the development of this segment. In 2026, Timur Turlov, founder and CEO of Kazakhstan headquartered NASDAQ-based fintech ecosystem Freedom Holding Corp., expanded his logistics investments through aviation infrastructure projects. One of its subsidiaries acquired a 60% stake in Sky Service, the company that owns Sary-Arka Airport in Karaganda. The project includes the development of QarGoCity, a multimodal cargo hub combining air, rail and road logistics, as well as the construction of a Jet A-1 aviation fuel terminal.
Earlier, Turlov’s company acquired a majority stake (50.98%) in KTZ Air Cargo (later renamed Alatau Air Cargo), a cargo airline established in 2025 at the instruction of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to strengthen Kazakhstan’s air freight capabilities.
Together, these projects are aimed at increasing Kazakhstan’s role as a logistics hub connecting Asian and European markets.
