Operations have commenced for GulfLink Ltd., a joint venture formed by AD Ports Group and KTZ Express, with the objective of expanding logistics and transport links across Central Asia and along the Middle Corridor.
New operator in the Central Asian corridor
GulfLink’s operations focus on creating additional freight transport options across Central Asia and building up east-west connectivity along the Middle Corridor. The corridor links manufacturers in China with markets in Europe, bypassing traditional northern routes. The joint venture intends to operate along both existing and newly emerging trade corridors, using multimodal transport methods involving rail, road, air, and sea.
KTZ currently manages a rail network of approximately 16,000 kilometres. Rail accounts for an estimated 70% of freight volumes in Kazakhstan. GulfLink will leverage this capacity along with the infrastructure and maritime access of AD Ports Group to support multimodal routes through Türkiye, Pakistan, and the Arabian Gulf.
Focus on Kazakhstan’s role in regional trade
The GulfLink platform has been introduced as part of a broader plan to increase Kazakhstan’s logistics capabilities by strengthening connections to global transport networks. KTZ, as a state-owned enterprise, provides direct rail access from Kazakhstan to China, Russia, Türkiye, and the Caucasus region.
Kazakhstan’s geographic position is seen as central to this effort. GulfLink is being positioned as a transport integrator for the Central Asian region, operating logistics services that aim to connect production and consumption hubs between Asia and Europe.
Investment commitments in Kazakhstan
AD Ports Group has stated that its overall investment commitments in Kazakhstan total USD 775 million, equivalent to approximately EUR 715 million. These include:
- Joint shipping operations with Kazakh partner KazMorTransFlot in the Black and Caspian Seas,
- A logistics and food trading hub project in Uzbekistan,
- A planned grain terminal investment in Kazakhstan,
- Preliminary work on a multipurpose terminal at Kuryk Port.
The GulfLink venture is part of AD Ports Group’s broader logistics platform development, linking its growing Central Asian network with maritime and port assets in Türkiye and Pakistan. The company continues to pursue additional multimodal connections across the region.
