rail train
 
KOSTANAY, KAZAKHSTAN — A train carrying flour traveled from the Kostanay station in Kazakhstan through Turkmenistan to Afghanistan — more than 3,500 kilometers — according to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. The new train features more than 50 cars and has a cargo weight of 3,300 tons, the railway company said.

“Kazakhstan holds the leading positions in the world for the production of grain,” said Mukhtar Zhambulov, deputy general director for operations at KTZ-Freight Transportation JSC. “The main task of the railway is to ensure timely and high-quality transportation of agricultural products, including this strategic cargo. The development of transportation along the new route will increase the transit potential of Kazakhstan, reduce turnover and accelerate the return of rolling stock by 2 to 2.5 times.”

According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, 4.2 million tons of Kazakh grain has been delivered for export since the start of 2018, up 56% from the same period a year ago. Flour shipments are up 8%, to 1.2 million tons, the railway noted.