China-Kazakhstan Cooperation: Khorgos dry port now an efficient transport hub

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Europe

02:39

Located right at the border of China, a dry port in Kazakhstan is shaking up the transportation industry. The Khorgos dry port has become an efficient and cost friendly transport hub. Another example of two SCO member states China and Kazakhstan cooperating effectively. CGTN's Michal Bardavid reports from Khorgos.

A Chinese flag on the railway of the Khorgos port summarizes the main function of the Khorgos dry port in Kazakhstan. Located on the Chinese border, this transportation hub is run by Khorgos Gateway – which has 50% Chinese ownership.

The Khorgos port is one of Kazakhstan's largest projects as it aims to handle transit containers from China heading to many regions especially in central Asian countries and Europe.

A transition process takes place at Khorgos. Because Kazakhstan uses Russia's wider gauge, cargo from or destined to China are transferred to different wagons.

OLZHAS ALEYBEKOV, CHIEF MANAGER SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE KHORGOS EASTERN GATE "Kazakhstan is trying to switch from a commodity-based economy and develop itself as a transit potential. Meaning, Kazakhstan has big potential to increase transited cargo to the direction of China-Europe and Europe-China."

MICHAL BARDAVID KHORGOS, KAZAKHSTAN "In some ways, the Khorgos port is transforming the transportation industry especially for Central Asian countries. Thanks to this dry port, some shipments that used to take up to 40 days by sea from Asia to Europe can now be transported in just 10 days."

The Chinese government's initiative to connect countries through economic projects has had an impact on this dry port as well.

NURLAN TOGANBAYEV, DIRECTOR JSC "NATIONAL COMPANY KAZAKHSTAN TEMIR ZHOLY" "The international project called ONE BELT ONE ROAD has brought and is bringing many advantages Positive effects for the development of the dry port our terminal received a lot more volume of containers due to this project.

According to the Khorgos management, 185,000 containers were transported in 2017 Kazakhstan aims to triple this volume by 2020.

Meanwhile, a small town has been formed next to the port to serve the employees and their families who work there. Children and families enjoy the facilities at Nurkent town built especially for their needs.

As member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet in Qingdao for the summit of 2018, ways to increase the benefits of transportation projects such as Khorgos for all parties is expected to be highlighted by Kazakhstan. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Khorgos Kazakhstan.