Kazakhstan plans to increase cargo shipments through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or the Middle Corridor, to 10 million tons a year amid increased focus on the route as an alternative means to move goods out of China.

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has slowed the movement of rail freight between China and Europe through the Northern Corridor. Developments on the Red Sea are also influencing the Eurasian rail.

"We are making significant efforts to develop TITR. Last year, cargo transit through this corridor grew to 4.5 million tons, marking a 62% increase," said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu as reported by Chinese state media.

"In the future, we aim to expand this volume to 10 million tons," he added.

Nurtleu also noted the importance of fiber-optic communication as a crucial step in establishing a modern digital corridor.

"Kazakhstan is fully committed to advancing this project. The initiative to lay a deep-water submarine power cable across the Caspian Sea holds great potential, and we are ready to intensify our efforts in this direction," he said.

The TITR, or Middle Corridor, starts in China's port of Lianyungang and runs through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and European countries.

Although relatively newer than the Northern Corridor, it has recently become a vital artery for transporting goods from Southeast Asia and China to Europe. 

Despite this, industry leaders have pointed out challenges that need to be addressed first to maximise the full potential of this trade route.