German logistics group Rhenus is pushing ahead with an ambitious expansion along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), commonly known as the Middle Corridor. The company plans to develop up to 14 terminals stretching from Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to Türkiye, with the first major project being a new trimodal container hub in the Kazakh port city of Aktau.
The move comes as the European Commission has pledged to mobilise up to €12 billion in public and private investment for the Middle Corridor, aiming to triple trade flows and cut freight transit times by 2030. For European businesses, the expansion could mean more reliable and higher-capacity links with Asian suppliers and markets, reducing dependence on traditional routes that pass through Russia.
Rhenus is collaborating with Kazakhstan's national railway operator (KTZ) and the Port of Aktau to develop the logistics hub on the Caspian Sea. The terminal will cover at least 30 hectares and provide an annual handling capacity of at least 150,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) — nearly double the corridor's reported container traffic in 2025. The project is now entering a feasibility and traffic-flow analysis phase.
"Overall, we want to build 14 terminals along the Middle Corridor, from Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to Türkiye. We then want to connect them to our network in Europe, where we already have 23 container ports and around 70 port facilities," said Tobias Bartz, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Rhenus Group.
The agreement for the Aktau project was signed on 30 September at the Kazakhstan-Germany Business Forum in Berlin. According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Trade and Integration, freight traffic along the Trans-Caspian route increased by up to 62%, while container traffic rose to 2.7 times, reaching 56,500 TEU between 2025 and 2025. The route's international association reports that container traffic reached 76,900 TEU in 2025, a 36% increase from the previous year.
Connecting national networks into a unified corridor
The project is part of a broader effort to integrate the separate national infrastructures along the Middle Corridor into a single commercial logistics network. Currently, the route suffers from bottlenecks and inconsistent procedures at borders and ports, which has limited its appeal compared to the northern route through Russia. By building a chain of terminals, Rhenus aims to offer a seamless service that can compete on reliability and speed.
"Kazakhstan plays a key role in connecting China, Central Asia, the Caspian region and Europe. The next joint steps with our partners are therefore important building blocks in our long-term commitment to the region," Bartz added.
The Aktau project is not Rhenus's only investment in Central Asia. In January 2026, the company acquired its first rail terminal in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, which provides container storage, bonded warehousing, and block-train handling. In Uzbekistan, Rhenus plans to invest around €11 million in modernising a terminal in Andijan in partnership with the state railway company.
The expansion comes at a time when the Caspian Sea's retreat is exposing new islands along Kazakhstan's coast, a development that could have long-term implications for port operations and shipping routes in the region. Meanwhile, the Middle Corridor's strategic importance is growing as European countries seek to diversify trade routes and reduce reliance on Russia.
For European shippers, the new terminals could offer a more predictable alternative to the congested northern routes, especially as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt traditional supply chains. The European Commission's investment pledge underscores the bloc's commitment to making the Middle Corridor a viable and competitive trade artery.
Rhenus's move also reflects a broader trend of European logistics companies expanding their footprint in Central Asia and the Caucasus, driven by the region's growing role in East-West trade. With the new terminals, the company aims to provide a comprehensive service that covers the entire corridor, from origin to destination, with a single point of contact for customers.
The feasibility study and traffic-flow analysis will be crucial in determining the final scope and timeline of the project. If successful, the network could significantly enhance the capacity and reliability of the Middle Corridor, benefiting both European importers and exporters.
