Astana:The 3rd Breakbulk Conference, focusing on project logistics for the industrial and energy sectors in Central Asia, was recently held in Astana as part of the 29th TransLogistica Kazakhstan 2026 international exhibition. The event gathered representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, and other nations to discuss international transport routes, oversized cargo shipments across the Caspian Sea, infrastructure projects, and the Middle Corridor.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Orkhan Yolchuyev, Director and Co-Founder of the CASPIA Analytical Centre, stated that freight traffic along the Middle Corridor might triple by 2030. He emphasized the importance of diversified transport routes due to increasing shipments from China and Central Asia. Yolchuyev also mentioned that the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project could enhance connectivity between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and the Middle East, potentially linking Nakhchivan's railways with Iran's network and connecting to Iraq's Development Road project. He noted that improved transport links could boost Kazakhstan's exports and transit traffic.

AMEC LLC CEO Rashad Shakarov discussed the difficulties of transporting heavy and oversized cargo across the Caspian Sea, highlighting that falling water levels reduce vessel loading capacity. This reduction forces ships designed for 5,000 tons to carry only about 3,500 tons, leading to increased transportation costs and higher freight rates. He stressed the necessity of expanding and modernizing port infrastructure to better handle such cargo.

The conference also included representatives from transport and logistics companies in China, Lithuania, and Kazakhstan. Discussions covered multimodal transport along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the North-South Corridor, and other routes, as well as the role of maritime transport, logistics digitalization, and the use of artificial intelligence to mitigate shipping risks.