Mangystau launches $1bn Caspian port project with Chinese investor

September 15, 2026 at 02:45 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Construction has begun on a new multifunctional port and logistics hub in the Karakiya district of Kazakhstan's Mangystau region. The project, backed by Chinese company Guo You Resources Group, is valued at $1 billion and is expected to handle up to 25 million tonnes of cargo annually. Regional governor Nurdaulet Kilybai inspected the site and discussed next steps with the investor.

Key Facts

The project is valued at $1 billion, with an initial investment of $300 million for the first phase.
The port is expected to handle 6 to 15 million tonnes of cargo annually at launch, rising to 25 million tonnes after full development.
The facility will include seven berths, a 3-kilometre breakwater, and 7.5 kilometres of railway tracks.
The investor is Chinese company Guo You Resources Group, and the project is part of Kazakhstan's Trans-Caspian International Transport Route development.

Project Scope and Investment

The port and logistics hub is being built on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea in the Karakiya district of Mangystau region. Total investment is estimated at $1 billion, with $300 million allocated for the first phase covering basic port infrastructure, berths, container and warehouse terminals, railways, and roads. Initial throughput capacity is planned at 6 to 15 million tonnes per year, with a target of 25 million tonnes as the project expands. The complex will include seven berths, a breakwater of about 3 kilometres, and 7.5 kilometres of railway lines. It will also feature RO-RO terminals, a railway ferry complex, and shipbuilding and ship repair facilities.

Strategic Role and Regional Impact

The project is being implemented under instructions from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to develop Kazakhstan's transport and logistics potential. Mangystau region governor Nurdaulet Kilybai visited the site to review design and survey work and discussed implementation steps with representatives of Guo You Resources Group. The port is intended to link sea, rail, and road transport into a single logistics system, strengthening Mangystau's position as a transit hub. The project is particularly significant for the Middle Corridor, which connects China and Central Asia to European markets via the Caspian Sea.