Turkey Opens Seaports to Kazakh Carriers and Lifts Transit Restrictions

Kazakhstan’s transport companies have gained the right to load and unload cargo at Turkish seaports — a privilege previously reserved exclusively for Turkish operators. The announcement was made by the press service of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport.

The agreement was reached during the meeting of the Kazakhstan–Turkey Joint Commission on International Road Transport. In addition to port access, both sides agreed to abolish the permit system for transit transportation and move toward a free transit regime. Until amendments are made to the intergovernmental agreement, a temporary mechanism will be applied: the exchange of an unlimited number of transit forms.
Another step will be the digitalization of documentation. By the end of 2025, permits for bilateral and transit transport will be fully transferred to an electronic format. A similar system is already in place with China and Uzbekistan.

According to the Ministry, the shift to digital processes will accelerate cargo clearance and reduce the impact of the human factor. The agreements with Turkey open new logistics opportunities for Kazakh carriers. Access to Turkish ports simplifies entry into international routes, while free transit lowers administrative barriers and shortens delivery times.

The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan expects that the implementation of these agreements will strengthen the country’s position in the regional transport market and increase the efficiency of foreign trade supplies. The next step will be the practical testing of the new rules and their formal inclusion in an updated bilateral agreement.