Kazakhstan’s Kuryk port gets new grain terminal while Aktau port struggles with capacity

The Kuryk port in Kazakhstan, located on the Caspian Sea coast, now has a new grain terminal. The opening comes at a vital moment, as the Aktau port has stopped accepting grain due to a capacity overload.

The new terminal at Kuryk is supposed to be able to handle 1,5 million tonnes of grain annually, but its current capacity remains at 240,000. The first batch will be sent from the terminal this month, according to Kazakh media. As part of the development project, the port added 16 kilometres of access railway lines, two berths, the first stage of the grain terminal, as well as a warehouse and TIR parking to its infrastructural arsenal.

Kazakh television says that the terminal is currently working in test mode. According to the Port of Kuryk, the first transshipments of grain already took place last week. The added capacity will help grow grain volumes in the direction of Iran and the Caucasus.

The opening of the new terminal comes at a handy moment. Kazakh Railways banned shipments of grain to two terminals at the Aktau port, because of capacity shortages. Approximately one thousand wagons are still waiting to be serviced at the port. The bans come somewhat expectedly, after recent grain harvests, and are expected to remain in place until November.

European Silk Road Summit 2024

Asia – Europe rail freight is one of the key topics to be discussed at the European Silk Road Summit 2024, taking place in Vienna on 27-28 November.

Registrations for the yearly event are already open, while the programme, which this year highlights the fast-recovering China-Europe rail market, is shaping up.