Kazakhstan has the opportunity to increase exports of grain cargo to China, but transportation logistics still constrain the development of trade. The reason for the unresolved issues, among other things, is the lack of coordination between the railway administrations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China, as well as a number of current and systemic problems. In this regard, the Grain Union of Kazakhstan sent a proposal to the Ministry of Transport to create a joint working commission that will promptly respond to problems related to grain transportation.
In 2023, Kazakhstan supplied more than 2.2 million tons to China, which is 3 times more than a year earlier. At the same time, the export-import potential for grain crops of the two countries, according to experts, can be up to 10 million tons per year. Sending cargo in grain hoppers and the rate of their receipt at two mechanized terminals in China made it possible to reduce the time spent by rolling stock under unloading by 40%.
“With all the positive results of 2023 and the logistics accessibility of this market, Kazakh exporters of agricultural products do not fully use the Chinese direction for reasons beyond their control, for example, due to limited capacity of the interstate junction points (IGSP) Dostyk-export and Altynkol-export” , noted the Grain Union.
According to the ZSK, representatives of the border railways of Kazakhstan and China decided to accept 16 freight trains, including one hopper train, on the Dostyk-Alashankou international railway (broad gauge). Occupying one line of the train (hopper) exchange schedule on average per day for each MSG can allow the passage of up to 2 million tons of grain per year. But in order to implement this plan, it is necessary to maintain rhythm and stability in loading, moving, delivering, unloading and receiving back one train per day.
“Violation of at least one of the links in the above supply chain will entail the introduction of restrictive measures (ban or restriction of loading, delaying and non-acceptance of trains, occupation of infrastructure), which leads to failure to meet targets for increasing trade volumes,” the Grain Union emphasized .
In this regard, ZSK appealed to the head of the Ministry of Transport, Marat Karabaev, with a request to send a proposal to the XUAR government to create a temporary joint working commission to develop rules and streamline the exchange of trains. Its work will allow us to identify and quickly respond to factors limiting the export potential when transporting goods by hoppers from Kazakhstan to Alashankou and Khorgos.
Meanwhile, the KTZ company reported today that at the Dostyk-Alashankou border crossing on March 28, a daily record was set for the transfer of trains to China - 21 trains. Including 20 trains of 732 cars with a total weight of over 40 thousand tons were transferred on a wide gauge and one train of 50 cars with a total weight of about 1.5 thousand tons was transferred on a narrow gauge. Previously, 16 trains were transported in export traffic every day.
“The record was set thanks to the joint efforts and work of the employees of the Chinese Railway, KTZ - Freight Transportation LLP, Dostyk station, as well as specialists from the Almaty Regional Transportation Management Center,” the national company said.
This figure confirms the argument that cargo transportation capabilities make it possible to increase export volumes. And shippers hope for government assistance to resolve all bottlenecks.