Rhenus Group to Build 14-Terminal Network on Middle Corridor, Boosting EU-Asia Trade
German logistics provider Rhenus Group will develop up to 14 terminals across the Middle Corridor, strengthening EU-Asia transport and supporting the European Commission’s trade ambitions.
Rhenus Group, the German logistics provider, has unveiled a plan to establish up to 14 logistics terminals along the Middle Corridor, a key overland trade route linking Europe and Asia via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea and Türkiye. The initiative aims to expand capacity and reliability for European businesses, in step with the European Commission’s target to triple trade flows on the route by 2030.
The cornerstone of the expansion will be a new multimodal hub in Aktau, Kazakhstan, developed in partnership with Kazakhstan’s national railway operator (KTZ) and the Port of Aktau. The planned facility will cover at least 30 hectares and add annual handling capacity of at least 150,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), according to the company’s announcement.
The network will connect Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, integrating fragmented national infrastructures into a more unified regional system. This is expected to significantly improve transit times and service reliability for freight traffic moving between Europe and Asia, offering an alternative to northern and southern routes that have faced bottlenecks and geopolitical risks in recent years.
Capacity upgrades along the Middle Corridor have become increasingly important amid a surge in traffic. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration reported a 62% increase in freight volumes along the Trans-Caspian route between 2024 and 2025, with container traffic reaching 76,900 TEU, an annual rise of 36%.
The European Commission announced plans in September 2023 to mobilise up to €12 billion in public and private investment for the Middle Corridor, highlighting its strategic role in diversifying Europe’s supply chains and reducing dependency on traditional routes. Rhenus Group’s expansion aligns closely with these objectives, potentially positioning the company as a dominant logistics provider in the region.
For Latin American exporters and investors, the development could create new opportunities to access Asian and European markets more efficiently, leveraging enhanced connectivity and logistics reliability along the corridor. However, the initiative also carries risks, including dependence on regional stability in Central Asia and potential delays in construction and operations.
The project underscores growing competition among logistics companies to capture market share along emerging trade corridors. As Rhenus Group accelerates its terminal roll-out, other providers may follow suit, driving further investment and integration across the region.
