KAZAKHSTAN and Uzbekistan have independently embarked on plans to build new lines in Afghanistan, seeking access to ports on the Indian Ocean. The new lines are set to interconnect in Herat, in western Afghanistan, potentially creating an important logistics hub.

Last month, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan signed a protocol of intent for the construction of a 780km line from Towrgondi, on Afghanistan’s border with Turkmenistan, to Spin Boldak on the border with Pakistan. Kazakhstan has pledged to invest $US 500m in the project.

Under the first phase, the governments of both countries agreed to sign an accord for the construction of a 115km line between Towrgondi and Herat and establish a joint transport and logistics undertaking in Herat.

"The project is of particular importance for Kazakhstan in terms of expanding regional transit connectivity, strengthening transport and logistics links between Central and South Asia, and providing access to Indian Ocean ports," says the Kazakhstan government.

The new line will become a key link in a future cross-border corridor passing through Afghanistan and providing the shortest route for freight heading for Indian Ocean ports, according to the government.

Trans-Afghan Railway

The protocol with Kazakhstan was signed just weeks after authorities in Russia and Uzbekistan announced the start of work on the Trans-Afghan Railway, a 573km line through Afghanistan aimed at connecting landlocked Central Asia to ports in Pakistan. In 2021, the parties estimated the cost of the project at $US 4.8bn.

One of two Trans-Afghan Railway branches is expected to run through Herat, allowing the formerly independent projects to benefit from potential synergies. "The establishment of a transport and logistics centre in Herat will create cargo flows from Pakistani ports and allow their distribution in the direction of either Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan," says Trans, a Moscow-based logistics consultancy. "In the reverse direction, Herat can handle the transhipment of cargo sent for export from Central Asian countries through Pakistani ports."

Russia and Belarus could also benefit from the new lines, as Belarus has lost access to ports in Lithuania and Latvia and Russia is looking for new logistics routes.

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