TURKMENISTAN JOINS NEW MULTIMODAL CHINA–AFGHANISTAN TRANSPORT CORRIDOR

A new multimodal freight corridor linking China and Afghanistan via Turkmenistan has been launched, marking a shift toward faster and more efficient overland logistics across Central Asia.

Turkmenistan has become part of the newly established route, designed to accelerate cargo deliveries between China and Afghanistan.

According to Uzbekistan Railways’ subsidiary Uztemiryulcontainer, containers traveling along the updated route cover approximately 7,400 kilometers in an average of 30 days, improving delivery timelines and overall logistics efficiency.

The corridor begins with rail shipments departing China and passing through the Altynkol station in Kazakhstan, before transiting Uzbekistan to reach the Bukhara logistics center operated by Uztemiryulcontainer. At this stage, containers are transferred to road transport.

Cargo is then transported across Turkmenistan and delivered to the city of Herat in Afghanistan, forming a unified multimodal route that integrates rail and road infrastructure.

Previously, shipments along this corridor were largely carried by sea from China to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, followed by overland delivery to Afghanistan. The new route reduces transit times and enhances supply chain predictability by offering a more direct and streamlined logistics solution.