Restrictions on grain acceptance in the direction of Aktau port are temporary

09-10-2025

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company JSC has temporarily restricted the acceptance of export grain cargoes destined for the port of Aktau.

This measure is technological in nature and is related to the accumulation of grain railcars due to irregular vessel calls. In September, 14 vessels with a total capacity of approximately 50,000 tons arrived at the port, resulting in a backlog of approximately 700 loaded railcars at terminals and approaches.

The restrictions were introduced to prevent rolling stock downtime and infrastructure overload. Once the vessel call schedule stabilizes, grain cargo acceptance will resume in full.

Furthermore, a decrease in grain cargo acceptance has been observed in the adjacent territory of the eastern direction (China). This is due to the increase in inspection times for grain cargo by Chinese phytosanitary and quarantine authorities from 5 to 10 days during the holiday period. This situation has had a negative impact on the operational situation on the Kazakh side's infrastructure.

The KTZ railway network is operating normally and is ready to transport confirmed volumes.

During the 2024-2025 marketing season (September-August), grain shipments to Iran via the port of Aktau increased tenfold, reaching 1.27 million tons.

Deliveries to the domestic market and to socially significant destinations are carried out without restrictions.
 

Press service of JSC «NC«Kazakhstan Temir Zholy»