SHENZHEN (OCTOBER 15, 2015) – Khorgos is soon going to become a major global logistics hub, according to Hicham Belmaachi, deputy CEO of commercial at the Khorgos Gateway.

The Khorgos Gateway, which is a DP World-managed railway container terminal located 6km from one of two railway crossings along the China-Kazakhstan border, is aimed at both the Central Asia market and the Asia-Europe trade lane.

Belmaachi was optimistic about the potential of the gateway, which is also to serve as a consolidation point for non-stop block trains to European destinations.

"The volumes will increase," he said. "Dostyk, the other crossing, will not accept any more container business. Everything will be shipped through one single point, which is Khorgos. This is to massify the volume and create more possibilities to create block trains."

The terminal will also broaden the types of cargo it handles, said Belmaachi, using as an example the fact that the terminal's first car transhipment will be arriving next week.

Apart from the rail terminal, a logistics area is also under development, targeted at logistics and supply chain companies wanting to use Khorgos as a main hub.

Belmaachi said he sees the project as "real business opportunity for the region."

"This terminal will bring new efficiency and standards," he said. "And of course, we hope to bring prosperity to the whole region."

By Jeffrey Lee

Asia Cargo News