The Trans-Caspian southern route has been opened: a new cargo transportation line between Russia and Kyrgyzstan has been successfully tested
2026-04-20
In April 2026, the first test batch of cargo successfully arrived in Kyrgyzstan along the Trans-Caspian southern route (Russian port of Astrakhan - Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi - Uzbekistan - Kyrgyzstan). The opening of the route was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Amangeldiev. The goal is to reduce Kyrgyzstan’s dependence on transit through Kazakhstan. The traditional northern corridor (via Kazakhstan) remains the main one, serving cargo flows from Siberia, the Urals and the Far East; the southern route is focused on cargo from the European part of Russia, reducing transportation time by three days and reducing costs by 15%. The combination of trans-Caspian shipping and the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan road link forms a complementary multi-route structure, increasing logistics sustainability and expanding choice for Kyrgyzstan.
