At an extended meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, a target was set to transport 343.6 million tonnes of goods by rail in 2026 (as compared to 320 million tonnes in 2025). This will contribute to the fulfilment of the government’s target of increasing transit freight volumes to 55 million tonnes per year.

It is estimated that the country’s railway pas- senger traffic will rise to 21 million passengers in 2026, with the fleet expected to be expanded by 191 passenger coaches. As part of collaboration with Stadler, 557 premium-class coaches are to be delivered by 2030. 46 railway station buildings and facilities are in the process of renovation, with the works already completed on 19 of them.

A number of infrastructure projects are currently underway on Kazakhstan’s railways, with the modern train control systems being introduced. The construction of the new Kyzylzhar-Moyynty railway line is scheduled for completion in 2026, along with the modernisation of the Altynkol-Zhetigen and Beyneu-Manggystau main lines.

In total, over 4300 km of railway tracks were upgraded between 2023 and 2025; 1557 km are scheduled for repair in 2026, and up to 11,000 km – by 2029. In 2026, the country’s railways are set to receive 236 locomotives and 1373 fitting flat wagons.

Special attention is being paid to increasing the capacity of the Trans-Caspian section of the Middle Transport Corridor. The volume of waterway transport is planned to increase from 9.5 million tonnes in 2025 to 11.4 million tonnes in 2026, including up to 5.2 million tonnes on the Middle Corridor routes. Works are underway on dredging and modernising the berthing infrastructure at the Caspian ports of Kuryk and Aktau. By 2028, the country’s merchant fleet is set to be expanded to 32 vessels.