The Government of Uzbekistan has approved a new framework for the development of transport and logistics centers (TLCs) and transit corridors.

By December 1, 2025, a full inventory will be conducted, and all centers that meet the new standards will be included in the national register.

The minimum area for international TLCs is set at 4 hectares, and for regional centers — 3 hectares.

Infrastructure and equipment standards have also been officially established.

The goal is to improve logistics efficiency and integrate Uzbekistan’s hubs into the UN ESCAP list of dry ports, strengthening the country’s role as a key node in Eurasian trade and transport networks.

Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov announced that the country is considering purchasing vessels from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

The reason is simple: cargo volumes across the Caspian are growing, and so are queues, which now reach 30–40 days. Having its own fleet would speed up cargo handling and reduce dependence on external operators.

“We have agreed to study and consider the possibility of purchasing ships from these enterprises,” the minister noted.

Earlier, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport and Turkmenistan’s State Service of Maritime and River Transport signed a memorandum of cooperation in shipbuilding.

A brand-new rail station — Xianglushan — has just opened in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China), serving as a new departure point for freight trains heading to Europe and Central Asia.

-> The first train left for Kazakhstan on August 6, 2025.

-> Shipments from this station are expected to be 2 days faster and 15% cheaper.

-> The new route strengthens logistics connections between China and regional markets.

Just last month, Wuhan also launched its first multimodal route to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, expanding China’s overland reach into Central Asia.

China’s rail gateways to Eurasia are expanding — and getting more efficient.

Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Jasurbek Choriev, announced that Afghanistan has provided security guarantees for the implementation of the Trans-Afghan Corridor. This project could become the shortest route to seaports in Pakistan and serve as an important alternative to the northern and southern trade corridors.

The project is valued at $7 billion, includes the construction of 5 tunnels and 312 bridges, and may take up to 5 years to complete.

Choriev emphasized that without affordable logistics, it will be difficult for Uzbekistan to sustain rapid economic growth.

In June 2025, China exported 7,742 tonnes of rare earth elements — a 60% increase compared to June 2024 and 32% more than in May. This is the highest monthly volume since December 2009. Analysts link the surge to recent easing of export controls and behind-the-scenes agreements with the United States. Reports in June indicated that China issued export licenses to select US companies and simplified procedures for European countries.

Although export volume rose, the total dollar value dropped by 47%, likely due to a shift in the export mix: more lower-value rare earths were shipped, while high-value ones remained tightly controlled. A fuller picture is expected when detailed trade data is released on July 20.

Rare earths are critical to industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and defense, and China retains a strategic advantage as the world’s dominant supplier.