Beijing: TITR — predictable transit times, tariffs and unified service standards

On 22 September 2026 a high-level meeting on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, Middle Corridor) was held in Beijing, alongside the Global Sustainable Transport Forum. A Kazakhstan delegation took part.

First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlybek Nalibayev: President Tokayev set transit and logistics potential as a key priority, with the aim of turning Kazakhstan into a Eurasian transport and logistics hub. Work covers the East–West and North–South corridors, TITR, border and port infrastructure, and multimodal services.

The shared task, in essence: a safe, sustainable and efficient corridor with predictable transit times, competitive tariffs and unified service standards.

On the China side, Shohrat Zakir: China attaches importance to TITR and is ready, with partners, to raise capacity and efficiency. Proposals included a regular multilateral consultative mechanism, infrastructure connectivity, harmonised cross-border transport rules and customs standards, a digital multimodal transport platform, port-adjacent industry and supply-chain finance.

Azerbaijan Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev: corridor efficiency needs coordinated work by all countries on the route, synchronised infrastructure, removal of bottlenecks, simpler procedures and digital solutions.

Kyrgyzstan also took part, in the context of a landlocked country.

A Kazinform / Kazakhstan Today note: TITR freight grew 3.5× over five years.

For oversized and project cargo, “unified standards” and digital booking matter only if they cover special permits, axle limits and Caspian ferry and Ro-Ro slots — not container TEU slogans alone.