Multi-modal freight and logistics services provider to CIS and Central Asia, Soyuztranslink (STL), will expand its presence in India and Iran during 2007 with new offices in Bombay and Bandar Abbas.During the last twelve months, the company has seen increased demand for airfreight and ocean cargo to the CIS and Central Asian countries, in line with economic growth driven by oil and gas revenue.“We have traditionally been strong in airfreight services to Europe, using the hubs in Amsterdam and Dubai, but there is increasing trade with emerging markets in Asia, notably China and India, and now other countries in the Middle East,” said Elena Yusupova, STL business development director.Earlier this year STL launched its rail freight services from China to the CIS countries and Central Asia – where rail is the most efficient mode of transport in a region comprising mostly landlocked countries.“With trade turnover between China and Kazakhstan forecast to grow to US$30 billion by 2010, we see our business growing significantly in the next four years,” added Yusupova.Kazakhstan Railways forecasts that the volume of goods on this route will reach 14 million tonnes in 2006, with container volumes estimated to exceed 125,000 TEU in 2006, up from 93,000 TEU in 2005.
STL is the official partner of Kazakhstan Railways, providing gateway services to all major trading commercial centres via the China border station Dostyk/Alashankou.STL also works closely with Russian Railways to ensure a seamless flow of cargo through to all destinations in Russia and Eastern Europe.STL has a global network of agents in key commercial and trading centres, and provides integrated gateway logistics services through key ports, land borders and airports to all points in the region which includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.Intermodal solutions from regional seaports to inland destinations are available to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.