Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has completed its first shipment of sunflower oil using flexitanks in 40-foot containers. The pilot consignment was dispatched from Predgornaya station, in the East Kazakhstan Region, and delivered to the city of Nantong in Jiangsu Province, China, via the Dostyk–Alashankou border crossing.
The shipment ceremony was attended by representatives of KTZ and the National Association of Oilseed Processors – a non-profit organisation that brings together enterprises in the oilseed processing sector to support the development of Kazakhstan’s fats and oils industry.
This project was launched as part of the agreements reached at the Subgroup of Experts on Transport and Marketing Organisation meeting between KTZ and China Railways, held in Zhengzhou in June 2025.
The technical preparation of the containers, including the installation of flexitanks, was carried out by a Kazakhstani company specialising in such equipment. The work complied fully with the requirements of the railway authorities of both Kazakhstan and China.
According to Kairat Zhumabayev, representative of KTZ’s Integrated Planning Directorate, the use of flexitanks significantly reduces transport costs, speeds up loading and unloading operations, and improves the overall efficiency of export-import logistics.
Since 2020, KTZ has been actively developing vegetable oil exports using flexitanks in 20-foot containers, helping increase supply volumes to China – the largest market for Kazakhstani oil and fat products. The use of 40-foot containers opens up new opportunities to expand exports even further. Over the past five years, shipments of vegetable oil to China have increased tenfold.
Flexitanks are flexible inner liners placed inside standard containers, capable of transporting up to 26 tonnes of liquid cargo. They provide reliable protection for the contents while minimising the risks of leaks or contamination.
KTZ remains committed to developing innovative logistics solutions, streamlining transport processes, and opening new export corridors – efforts that contribute to strengthening Kazakhstan’s role in international trade and boosting the national economy.
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