The construction of the Selyatino Transport and Logistics Hub will boost the economic development of the Moscow Region and surrounding areas. By optimizing the logistics network and improving transportation efficiency, the hub will reduce logistics costs, increase economic efficiency, create more business opportunities for local companies, and attract more investment. Most importantly, the volume of exports to China will double from the current 180,000 tons to 550,000 tons.
The Moscow Region governor and the regional government's press service announced that Russia, China and Kazakhstan have officially opened a new chapter in the construction of a new transportation and logistics hub in Seriatino, a location near Moscow.
The launch of this ambitious project marks a solid step forward in the field of economic and trade cooperation between the three countries, it was said.
At the solemn groundbreaking ceremony, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov, Governor of China's Shaanxi Province Zhao Gang, and Chairman of the Kazakhstan State Railway Company Nurlan Sauranbayev gathered to witness this historic moment.
Russia, China and Kazakhstan want to build a new transport hub near Moscow and develop a direct transport link between Chinese city Xi’an and Moscow. Russian firm Slavtrans, the Chinese company Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation and Kazakh Railways have signed a memorandum of understanding that envisions these ideas. Image: Kazakh Railways.
On behalf of the Moscow Region government, Governor Vorobyov sent sincere greetings and a warm welcome to Kazakhstan's Chinese friends and partners from afar.
In his speech, Governor Vorobyov said with that Moscow is honored to welcome this important cooperation project.
The top leaders of Russia, China, and Kazakhstan-the President of Russia, the President of China, Xi Jinping, and the President of Kazakhstan-have laid the foundation stone for this project.
This is not only an affirmation of Russia-China-Kazakhstan trilateral relations, but also a promise of future cooperation.
A hub-to-hub container train departed Selyatino station bound for Xi'an as part of the construction commencement ceremony, the statement said.
"This key logistics hub is designed to develop direct transport links between the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi'an with Russia and other countries," the statement said.
The construction of the hub will provide a number of advantages for transshipment and cargo handling for Kazakh shippers among others, will have a positive impact on delivery times, and will contribute to improving the medium- and long-term planning of container transportation. The joint venture will make it possible to maximize the potential for the project's participants and expand the range of services provided in logistics and terminal activities, KTZ said.
As previously reported, linear transportation will run along the Xi'an - Alashankou/Khorgos - Selyatino route.
Xi'an is a hub transit center in China; the country's largest dry port is located there and accounts for up to 40% of the total volume of container trains between China and the EU.
The Kazakhstan cargo terminal in Xi'an opened in February 2024. The design capacity of the Kazakhstan terminal is over 66,500 TEU per year.
Transit cargo transportation volumes by rail through Kazakhstan in the China-Russia direction and back in 2023 totaled 3.8 million tonnes (a 35% increase versus 2022), KTZ said. Transit traffic in the China-Russia-China direction remained at the 2023 level of 0.9 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2024.
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy is a transport and logistics company controlled by the state. The company manages railway, seaport and airport infrastructure, as well as transport and logistics centers.
Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction & Operation is an operator of international trade channels and a provider of logistics transport services for Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.
Slavtrans-Service was founded in 2001. The company provides transport and warehouse logistics services. It has been implementing an investment project since 2021 to create an agrological complex in Selyatino, Moscow region.
The top leaders of Russia also stressed that "for the Moscow Region, logistics, transportation, job creation, investment attraction, etc. are of vital importance. The construction of this project will significantly contribute to the economic development and social prosperity of the Moscow Region. It is expected that in the coming years this logistics hub will become an important hub between Asia and Europe, offering more opportunities and convenience to partners."
Construction of the project is expected to be completed next year. After completion of the second phase of the project, up to 40 percent of the Moscow Region's agricultural exports will reach the world through the Selyatino Transport and Logistics Hub.
Most importantly, the volume of exports to China will double from the current 180,000 tons to 550,000 tons.
In addition, as the project progresses and improves, 1,500 new jobs are expected to be created for the local community. These job opportunities will cover a wide range of sectors such as logistics, transportation, warehousing, etc., and will provide local residents with more development opportunities and wider employment prospects.
The success of this project will undoubtedly give new vigor and momentum to the economic development of the Moscow Region.
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