"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."
The company expects its business to grow significantly over the next four years as trade turnover between China and Kazakhstan is anticipated to grow to US$30 billion by the end of the decade.
A statement from STL pointed to forecasts that Kazakhstan Railways will transport 14 million tonnes of cargo on this route in 2006, with container volumes set to exceed 125,000 TEU this year, up from 93,000 TEU in 2005, as further reasons for the move.
STL is the official partner of Kazakhstan Railways which provides service to all major trading commercial centres via the China border station Dostyk/Alashankou.
STL also works closely with Russian Railways to move cargo through to Russia and Eastern Europe. STL manages the movement of rail freight to warehouses for onward distribution throughout Russia, providing full tracking and tracing, inventory management and proof of delivery. From the border of Kazakhstan, the firm's trucking services are also available.
The company also offers integrated logistics services through key ports, land borders and airports to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.