Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has announced the continuation of operational restrictions at the Dostyk and Altynkol border stations serving China-bound freight corridors. The measure, which was initially introduced in 2024, restricts the transfer of both loaded and empty wagons between these two key crossing points on the Kazakhstan-China border.
According to the national railway operator, the extended restrictions are designed to improve the efficiency of rolling stock deployment and enhance the overall operational capacity of the border crossing infrastructure. By limiting wagon movements between the stations, KTZ seeks to eliminate the practice of empty wagons traveling in opposing directions along the same corridor, a practice that consumes resources without moving cargo.
Under the current arrangement, loaded wagons arrive daily at the Dostyk and Altynkol stations carrying exports destined for China. Once unloaded, these same wagons are reloaded with imported goods originating from China, creating a more continuous and efficient freight cycle without the need for repositioning movements.
The restrictions will remain in force from March through the end of 2025, according to KTZ's press service. The operator has stated that the policy directly supports its broader strategy to increase both export and import throughput along the China corridor while making better use of available rail assets.