The “Transport-Logistics Center of Turkmenistan” (TULM) has initiated its first container train service from India to Uzbekistan, focusing on optimizing container freight train traffic and reducing travel times.

A meeting on December 22, 2023, in Istanbul between Turkmenistan Railways (“Turkmendemiryolary”) and Uzbekistan Railways (“O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari”) resulted in agreements to expedite container train passage through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Special tariffs for container transportation were also discussed.

The meeting established that logistics companies in both countries will manage cargo transportation along the route from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to other third countries.

The first shipment, comprising 20 TEU containers of ceramic tiles, was dispatched from Bender-Abbas port to the Chukursai railway station in Uzbekistan. This station is the furthest point on the Sarahs route.

Additionally, the project has increased the loading levels of wagons from CIS countries at Sarahs railway station, indicating high utilization of the new route.