China–Kazakhstan: Complex project logistics by truck

Challenging project shipments from China to Kazakhstan are bringing Kenan Ertürk and his team at a. hartrodt Shanghai Logistics to maximum performance. To develop customized truck transport solutions, the Sales Manager for Central China traveled the approximately 4,600-kilometer route to the China-Kazakhstan border to gain a precise understanding of the challenges on site. Kenan Ertürk expects growing customer demand for the new product because trade volume between the two countries is rising sharply. According to regional media reports, it is expected to exceed 50 billion U.S. dollars by the end of the year, driven by Chinese exports to Central Asia’s largest country.

Large-scale project shipments for various industries

In late June, representatives from both countries agreed to expand their trade cooperation at the 9th China-Eurasia Commodity Trade Expo in Urumqi, in northwestern China. Chinese companies are expected to become more involved in projects in Kazakhstan that generate high added value, including agricultural processing, metal production, agrochemicals, and drone manufacturing. “We can handle large project shipments for industries like these,” says Kenan Ertürk.

Packaging and temporary storage are also available

Road transport is more flexible than rail transport, but requires precise planning in advance. Upon request, a. hartrodt also handles the professional packaging of components. “Shipments must be transshipped on the Chinese side of the border because trucks from China are not allowed to drive in Kazakhstan,” explains the Sales Manager. If necessary, a. hartrodt arranges temporary storage of the cargo until import formalities are completed: “We select warehouses on the Chinese side, in the border region. There, our Kazakh transport partner can take over the goods.”

Kenan Ertürk explains: “We attach GPS tracking devices directly onto the goods so that customers have full visibility at all times”. This is particularly important when goods are stored temporarily near the border for transshipment, but it also makes sense for long routes because of the traceability it provides.