What KTZ Express does

KTZ Express (AO «KTZ Express») is the international multimodal logistics arm of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZh), the national railway holding of Kazakhstan, and operates as a wholly state-owned subsidiary under the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund umbrella. The company provides integrated rail, maritime, road, and (planned) air freight services across Eurasian corridors connecting China, Central Asia, Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Russia. Its service portfolio spans container shipping (FCL), railway freight, LCL consolidated cargo, refrigerated transport, sea freight, customs brokerage (with Authorized Economic Operator status), warehouse logistics, and full-cycle logistics outsourcing.

The company operates an asset-heavy platform comprising approximately 7,000 fitting platforms (railway flatcars), 4,000 containers (20'/40'/45'), 400 refrigerated containers, and 2 sea vessels, complemented by owned or jointly-controlled terminal infrastructure at Khorgos Gateway (largest dry port in Central Asia), Lianyungang (China, ~220,000 m²), Aktau Marine Northern Terminal, and CRK Terminal in Selyatino, Russia. Container transit volumes doubled between 2022 and 2024, with transit times of 10–12 days on China-Russia and 14–16 days on China-Europe routes. Underlying technology includes the IRS Perevozki transport management system, CRM, real-time cargo tracking, MY.KTZE.KZ personal client portal, the eKTZ Digital Single Window platform, public tariff calculators with CO2 emissions estimation, and a new electronic digital signature capability for foreign clients.

KTZ Express generates revenue through transaction-based freight tariffs (including publicly disclosed TMTM rates of $1,740–$3,450 per 20'/40' container), rolling stock leasing, managed warehouse services at Class A facilities, container fleet leasing, customs brokerage, and transport expedition services. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales via eleven regional offices across Kazakhstan, China (Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Xi'an, Urumqi), Turkey, Russia, and Hungary with self-service digital channels (website calculators, MY.KTZE.KZ portal, eKTZ) for SMB and LCL customers. Customer segments span exporters/importers, heavy industry (mining, metallurgy, petrochemistry, machine building), agriculture, trade/distributors, e-commerce marketplace sellers, and government institutions. The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards and aligns with 12 of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Name

KTZ Express

Legal name

AO «KTZ Express»

Website

https://ktze.kz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

KTZ Express is a Kazakhstan state-owned multimodal logistics operator and subsidiary of national railway KTZh, providing integrated container, rail, sea, road, and air freight, customs, and warehousing services across Eurasian corridors connecting China, Central Asia, Europe, Turkey, and Russia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multimodal Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Border Freight Brokerage (USMCA/EU, etc.) (TLADAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction) (TLACAHAD), Intermodal Drayage & Cartage (First/Last Mile) (TLADAFAC)

Keywords

• Multimodal freight forwarding
• Container shipping services
• Railway cargo transportation
• Customs brokerage services
• Warehousing logistics solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Astana

HQ country

Kazakhstan

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Freight and logistics services: Core revenue from multimodal freight services including container shipments, wagon transport, sea freight, refrigerated cargo, and LCL consolidated shipments. Revenue is generated through freight rates, transit fees, terminal handling charges, and expedition services across international corridors.
2. Rolling stock operating services: Revenue from operating leased rolling stock (railway cars and platforms). Updated rates for rolling stock operation are published periodically.
3. Warehouse and terminal services: Revenue from Class A warehouse services at Khorgos Gateway and other terminals, including storage, consolidation, cross-docking, and customs bonded storage.
4. Container leasing: Revenue from renting out the company's container fleet (20', 40', 45' containers and reefer containers).
5. Customs brokerage and transport expedition: Revenue from providing customs representation, brokerage, and transport expedition services across EAEU territory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KTZ Express is a state-owned multimodal logistics operator (subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy) that plans, books, and executes international freight movements across rail, sea, road, and air modes between China, Central Asia, Europe, Russia, Turkey, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. Its core sellable offerings are container shipping, railway shipping, LCL consolidated cargo, refrigerated transport, multimodal logistics, sea freight, customs clearance, warehouse logistics, logistics outsourcing, and TMTM corridor transportation, supported by digital platforms for tracking, tariff calculation, and client self-service.

Product overview

KTZ Express operates a comprehensive multimodal logistics ecosystem connecting China, Central Asia, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East through integrated rail, maritime, road and air transport solutions. The core offering consists of container shipping, railway transportation, LCL consolidated cargo, refrigerated transport, multimodal logistics and sea freight services. Supporting infrastructure includes customs clearance brokerage, warehouse logistics at Khorgos Gateway (Class A, 23,000 m²), terminal network management, and logistics outsourcing. Digital platforms provide cargo tracking, tariff calculators with CO₂ emissions, personal account management, digital window (ЕЦО) and eGov Business integration. The company is also developing KTZ Air Cargo as a national cargo airline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KTZE Commerce: Dedicated e-commerce and online service platform operated by KTZ Express for digital client interactions, separate from the main corporate website.

Products and services

• Container Shipping (Контейнерные перевозки) International container cargo transportation along China–Kazakhstan–Europe routes using FCL (Full Container Load) with flexible conditions, fast delivery, and cargo security. Designed for exporters, importers, and logistics operators moving containerized goods across Eurasian corridors.
• Railway Shipping (Вагонные перевозки) Full-service railway cargo transportation using universal and specialized wagons for raw materials, metals, fertilizers, grain, and other goods. Targets industrial and manufacturing enterprises requiring heavy and bulk cargo transport over long distances.
• LCL Cargo (Сборные грузы) Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidated delivery service, including the popular Xi'an–Almaty route, with full support, tracking, and door-to-door logistics. Designed for small and medium businesses, marketplace sellers, and shippers with smaller volumes.
• Refrigerated Transportation (Рефрижераторные перевозки) Temperature-controlled cargo transportation using the company's own fleet of refrigerated containers with 24/7 temperature, location, fuel, and technical-condition monitoring. Targets agribusiness and food producers transporting perishable goods across long distances.
• Multimodal Logistics (Мультимодальная логистика) Combined transport solutions integrating railway, road, maritime, and aviation transport under single-operator management to optimize cost, lead time, and reliability. Designed for clients needing flexible end-to-end routing across multiple modes.
• Sea Freight (Морские перевозки) Maritime cargo transportation services through Caspian and Black Sea ports (Aktau, Kuryk, Baku, Poti, Istanbul), including sea freight, ferry crossing, and intermodal logistics across the Caspian and Black Sea. Backs the TMTM corridor.
• Customs Clearance (Таможенное оформление) Professional customs brokerage services for export, import, and transit operations across EAEU territory, with Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status enabling priority customs clearance. Designed for exporters, importers, and logistics operators.
• Warehouse Logistics (Складская логистика) Class A warehouse services at Khorgos Gateway, totaling 23,000 m² of dry storage including a bonded warehouse, with climate control, consolidation, cross-docking, and integration with multimodal routes. Targets shippers needing storage and customs-bonded handling.
• Logistics Outsourcing (Логистический аутсорсинг) Full-cycle supply chain management including raw material procurement, transportation, storage, and finished product delivery. Targets enterprises that want to outsource end-to-end logistics operations.
• TMTM Route Transportation (Перевозки по маршруту ТМТМ) Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM) shipments offered as a key participant of the International Trans-Caspian Transport Consortium (MTTC), connecting China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian, Caucasus, Turkey, and Europe. Pricing is publicly disclosed per route and container type.
• First and Last Mile Delivery (Первая и последняя миля) Door-to-door delivery organization from the sender's factory to the final warehouse or store using road transport, completing the end-to-end multimodal chain for shippers and distribution companies.
• Digital Solutions for Logistics (Цифровые решения для логистики) Integrated digital logistics package including personal account (MY.KTZE.KZ), the eKTZ Digital Single Window, online cargo tracking, LCL and CO₂ tariff calculators, and electronic digital signature (EDS) for non-resident clients. Enables 24/7 self-service ordering, document management, and integration with eGov Business.

Quantifiable outcome

• Container freight volumes doubled from 2022 to 2024.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and secondary.

• China Railway / Chinese government (Lianyungang terminal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Joint Kazakhstan-China terminal at Lianyungang port, China, established in 2014 as part of the Belt and Road initiative. Area of approximately 220,000 m² handles container and grain freight (8+ million tonnes and 500,000 containers annually), serving as the starting point of the China–Kazakhstan–Europe corridor.
• Slavtrans-Service (Russia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in CRK Terminal at Selyatino station, Moscow region, Russia. The terminal is a key hub on the China–Kazakhstan–Russia route, reducing transit times to 9-10 days. Equipped with multi-temperature warehouses, container yards, and a digital logistics platform.
• Xi'an Free Trade Port (China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CRK Terminal joint venture at Selyatino station, Moscow region. Xi'an Free Trade Port provides the China-side operational expertise and cargo volumes for the China–Kazakhstan–Russia corridor.
• Special Economic Zone Khorgos — Eastern GatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKhorgos Gateway dry port operates within the SEZ Khorgos — Eastern Gates on the Kazakhstan-China border. This is the largest dry port and multimodal logistics hub in Central Asia, a key node of the New Silk Road connecting China, Kazakhstan, Europe, Turkey, and Middle East railway networks.
• Republican Public Association 'First Anti-Corruption Media Center'minorOthersMemorandum of cooperation signed between KTZ Express and the First Anti-Corruption Media Center, under which meetings on anti-corruption issues are held with participation of representatives of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption.
• Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKTZ Express is an official participant in the International Trans-Caspian Transport Consortium (MTTC). The consortium coordinates the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route connecting China, Kazakhstan, Caspian Sea, Caucasus, Turkey, and Europe.
• Ports of Aktau and Kurik (Kazakhstan), Baku and Alat (Azerbaijan), Poti and Batumi (Georgia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic port partnerships enabling maritime transport across the Caspian and Black Seas. These ports are integral to the TMTM corridor and multimodal logistics chains from China to Europe.
• TОО 'KIF Warehouses' (Khorgos)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture managing a large Class A warehouse complex within the Khorgos Eastern Gates special economic zone. Provides warehouse rental services as part of the logistics infrastructure.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DSV (post-Schenker): Global transport and logistics provider with significant road, air, and sea freight forwarding across Europe and Asia. Broad incumbent overlapping in Eurasia cross-border freight forwarding.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarding leader with air, ocean, road, and rail products. Overlaps with KTZ Express in cross-border Eurasian container freight but operates as a multi-product global forwarder, not a corridor specialist.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Top-3 global freight forwarder with strong Eurasian road/rail/ocean capability. Competes in customs brokerage and contract logistics but lacks KTZ Express's corridor ownership and terminal infrastructure.

Regional players

• ADY Container (Azerbaijan Railways): State-owned rail and logistics operator of Azerbaijan operating TMTM (Trans-Caspian) corridor traffic through Baku port. Directly comparable on TMTM corridor volumes and operates the sea leg partnering with KTZ Express.
• TCDD Taşımacılık (Türkiye): Turkish state railway logistics operator running TMTM extension through Turkey to Europe (BTK railway, Marmaray). Comparable state-owned multimodal operator on the TMTM corridor connecting to KTZ Express.

Direct peers

• RZD Logistics (Russian Railways Logistics): Logistics subsidiary of Russian Railways providing freight forwarding, container, and multimodal services on Eurasian corridors. Direct competitor on transit traffic between China, Russia, and Europe.
• Sinotrans: China's largest logistics SOE, operating multimodal freight, container leasing, and terminal assets across Belt & Road corridors. Peer by virtue of similar multimodal model and BRI corridor participation.
• UTLC ERA: United Transport and Logistics Company (JV of Russian Railways, Belarusian and Kazakhstani railways) — operates container block trains on China–Europe–China corridors, directly competing with KTZ Express on Eurasian transit volumes. Most direct functional comparable.
• TransContainer (Russia): Russia's largest intermodal container operator with owned fleet of flatcars, containers and terminals. Competes with KTZ Express on China–Russia and China–Europe rail container flows via the same corridors.
• FESCO (Far Eastern Shipping Company): Russian multimodal operator integrating rail, sea (Vladivostok), and trucking across Asia–Europe. Comparable multimodal model, asset ownership profile, and Eurasian corridor focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ktzeofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ktz-express

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KTZ Express