Assessment of Kazakhstan's Multimodal Logistics System: Performance Gaps and Improvement Paths in the Eurasian Corridor

Against the backdrop of the restructuring of Eurasian trade patterns, the competitiveness of multimodal logistics corridors has become a key variable affecting the efficiency of international supply chains. As an important overland route connecting China and Europe, the performance of Kazakhstan's logistics system has attracted considerable attention. A recent study published in *Frontiers in Future Transportation* systematically assessed Kazakhstan's position in the Eurasian logistics system by comparing Logistics Performance Index (LPI) scores, diagnosing enterprise cases, and modeling multimodal transport routes, and identified the core bottlenecks to enhancing its competitiveness.

Key Findings

The study shows that Kazakhstan occupies a middle position in the Eurasian logistics system. It outperforms some of its Central Asian neighbors in dimensions such as infrastructure quality, logistics competence, cargo tracking and tracing, and customs efficiency, but lags significantly behind China and Turkey. This means that although Kazakhstan enjoys unique geographical advantages, its logistics service capacity and infrastructure level have not yet been fully translated into transit competitiveness.

The study further points out that the competitiveness of multimodal transport corridors is not determined solely by geographical location, but is jointly influenced by factors such as infrastructure quality, service reliability, node connectivity, digitalization progress, institutional coordination, and the degree of efficient multimodal integration. These non-geographic factors are becoming even more prominent at a time when global supply chains place increasing demands on timeliness and transparency.

Supply Chain Impact

For shippers and logistics operators relying on Central Asian overland routes, Kazakhstan's shortcomings in logistics performance may lead to the following consequences:

• Extended transit times: Inefficient customs clearance and poor node connectivity increase the time freight spends at borders and during transshipment.
• Higher costs: Inadequate infrastructure may increase transshipment expenses and warehousing costs, while also affecting load factors and equipment turnover efficiency.
• Reduced supply chain resilience: Limited tracking and tracing capabilities make it difficult for shippers to monitor cargo status in real time, reducing flexibility in responding to unexpected disruptions.

The study specifically notes that between 2022 and 2023, transit freight volume through Kazakhstan exceeded 30 million tons, with rail transport playing a dominant role. As the core of multimodal transport, the network capacity and operational efficiency of railways will directly determine the overall capacity and reliability of the corridor.

Regional Impact

From a regional perspective, Kazakhstan's logistics performance is closely related to the competitive landscape of Eurasian corridors. On the one hand, its performance, which surpasses that of some Central Asian neighbors, makes it a strong candidate for a regional logistics hub. On the other hand, the gap with China and Turkey may put it at a disadvantage in attracting high-value, time-sensitive cargo.

As China–Europe trade flows evolve, alternative transport corridors between Eurasia have drawn increasing attention. As a key node in these corridors, the level of modernization of Kazakhstan's logistics system will affect the competitiveness of the entire corridor in international trade.

Industry Perspectives

The study takes Globalink Logistics, a Kazakhstani logistics company, as a case, and identifies specific challenges in operational efficiency, risk management, and technology application through questionnaire surveys and internal operational diagnostics. Respondents generally believe that infrastructure modernization, digitization of customs procedures, and the establishment of coordination mechanisms among logistics nodes are priorities for enhancing the competitiveness of the enterprise and the entire corridor.

This case reflects that the individual competitiveness of logistics enterprises is closely linked to the effectiveness of the national logistics system. Technology upgrades and process optimization are not only matters for the enterprises themselves, but also require support from infrastructure and policy environment.

Future Outlook

The study recommends that Kazakhstan should advance simultaneously in four dimensions: first, infrastructure modernization, including the expansion and upgrading of railways, highways, and logistics parks; second, customs reform, simplifying transit procedures through digital tools; third, deploying end-to-end cargo tracking systems to improve supply chain transparency; and fourth, strengthening collaboration among logistics hubs, operators, and competent authorities to form a unified and efficient corridor governance mechanism.

If these measures are implemented, Kazakhstan is expected to transform its geographical location advantages into actual service competitiveness and occupy a more important share in Eurasian transit trade. For international supply chains, this means a more reliable and efficient land route option.

Conclusion

Overall, this study provides an empirical basis for understanding the competitiveness of the Central Asian logistics corridor. The improvement of Kazakhstan's logistics performance is not only necessary for domestic economic development, but will also have a profound impact on the restructuring of the Eurasian supply chain. Against the background of global supply chains seeking diversification and resilience, the upgrading process of Kazakhstan's multimodal logistics system deserves continued attention from the international logistics industry.