MSC, one of the world’s largest players in maritime container shipping, is expanding its presence in Kazakhstan through its logistics company MEDLOG. Upon completion of the transaction, MEDLOG and SEMURG will become equal partners in Sarzha Logistics, El.kz reports citing Avianews.kz.
The agreement will connect MSC’s global logistics network with the infrastructure of the Port of Kuryk. For Kazakhstan, the project could contribute to increased container traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, and expand routing options for Central Asian exporters seeking access to Türkiye and European markets.
MEDLOG to Acquire Stake in Sarzha Logistics
A sale and purchase agreement between SEMURG INVEST and MEDLOG Poti LLC, a member of MSC Group, was signed in Geneva. The parties intend to jointly develop Sarzha Logistics as a logistics platform and operator of containerised cargo flows serving several Central Asian countries.
Kazakhstan is at the centre of the project, while the envisaged geographic scope of operations also includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The partners plan to combine SEMURG’s infrastructure assets with MEDLOG’s international network, including through the development of dry ports, rail routes, off-dock terminals and other elements of intermodal logistics infrastructure.
MEDLOG is part of MSC Group and operates in more than 90 countries. According to the group, the company handles more than 10 million TEUs annually, using road, rail and other logistics solutions.
Why the Port of Kuryk Is Becoming a Key Hub
SEMURG’s assets at the Port of Kuryk on the Caspian Sea will form the foundation of the partnership. The Sarzha cluster is expected to provide additional cargo-handling capacity and strengthen Kazakhstan’s segment of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, commonly referred to as the Middle Corridor.
The development of the Sarzha terminal has already been incorporated into Kazakhstan’s national development plans. The Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Maritime Infrastructure provides for the construction of several facilities as part of the project, including terminals for general cargo, liquid bulk cargo and other types of freight.
According to SEMURG, development of the cluster is expected to create up to 5 million tonnes of additional annual cargo-handling capacity. Container-handling capacity is projected at up to 110,000 TEUs per year.
“International companies need more than an attractive market. They need local partners capable of investing, developing projects and delivering them in practice. SEMURG’s approach has always been to develop infrastructure first and then invite global partners to scale it together with us.
This partnership is also emerging at the right time. Kazakhstan and Central Asia need further diversification of export routes and more reliable access to key markets in Türkiye and Europe. Combining MSC and MEDLOG’s global logistics capabilities with our infrastructure at Kuryk creates an opportunity to turn this need into practical and commercially viable transport connectivity,” said Nurzhan Marabayev, Chief Executive Officer of SEMURG INVEST LLP.
Connecting Kazakhstan with Türkiye and Europe
The partnership is based on integrating Kazakhstan’s infrastructure with MEDLOG’s logistics assets in Georgia and MSC’s global maritime network. This configuration makes it possible to establish a transport route from Central Asia across the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus to Türkiye and European countries.
MEDLOG already operates rail and multimodal transportation services in the region. On its Georgian corridor, the company lists Kazakhstan among the countries served through its terminal and railway infrastructure.
“Kazakhstan is becoming increasingly important to East–West trade and regional supply chains. Through this partnership, we see an opportunity to develop new containerised and multimodal cargo flows connecting Central Asia, via the Caspian Sea and Georgia, with Türkiye, Europe and our broader global network.
MEDLOG’s presence in Georgia, combined with our global inland logistics network, MSC’s maritime network and SEMURG’s infrastructure at Kuryk, provides a strong foundation for developing reliable, end-to-end logistics solutions across the Middle Corridor,” said Mukhran Dekanadze, Managing Director of MEDLOG Poti LLC.
