The container trains between China and Turkey/Europe have started to use the new route.
The increasing volume of trains between China and Kazakhstan forces two border crossings in use to specialize.
The Dostyk-Alashankou border crossing which has been densely used for all types of trains is specialized now for bulk and oversize cargos.
The other border crossing on the south, Altynkol-Khorgos, which had been opened in 2012, is specialized in container trains. Altynkol-Khorgos border crossing has a shorter connection to south (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey via Iran). This border crossing is very close to Almaty, which is the final destination for Turkey-Kazakhstan ECO train.
 Istanbul–Tashkent–Almaty ECO Train |
The first container train to Turkey via Altynkol has crossed the border early this week. The containers were transhipped from Chinese wagons to Kazakh wagons due to break-of-gauge. All transhipment and customs process had been completed in a record time of 3:10 hours.
 Can Turkey Replace Russia in China-Europe Rail Traffic? |
Last year, 22 container train has passed through Altynkol where in the first 7 months of this year, this number reached to 51.
Cover Photo: KTZ (Kazakhstan Railway)
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Great shot, Onur! The prospect of greater freight flow between China and Europe via Turkey is exciting. A lot of room for growth!