Jul 04 2024

Chinese and Kazakh Presidents green light Trans-Caspian TIR pilot

In a sign of the growing importance of the Middle Corridor to pan-Asian trade, a Trans-Caspian road transport pilot using TIR has been launched by the Presidents of China and Kazakhstan.

President Xi Jinping of China and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan jointly started an important pilot TIR road transport crossing of the Caspian Sea during a special launch ceremony yesterday in Astana. President Xi was on a state visit to Kazakhstan.

In a video link joining the presidential palace in Astana and Chinese trucks at the Kazakh port of Kuryk, the two presidents gave the green light with a collective “go” for the Chinese trucks to board the ship bound for Azerbaijan on the other side of the Caspian Sea.

Chinese haulage companies are operating this special transport pilot, with Chinese licensed trucks and TIR carnets issued in China for the whole journey.

The TIR trucks set off after completing export customs clearance and TIR-related procedures at Zhengzhou, Urumqi and Khorgos, before crossing into Kazakhstan and coming together at the Port of Kuryk to cross the Caspian Sea.

Following the Presidential green light, the Chinese TIR convoy is continuing to Azerbaijan and its final destination Türkiye. Read more

Source: IRU