ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 20. The state
visit of Estonian President Alar Karis to Kazakhstan from November
17 to 19, 2025, represented a pivotal step in advancing transport
and logistics cooperation between the two nations. During
discussions with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Karis underscored
Estonia’s potential role as a strategic partner, while Tokayev
highlighted Kazakhstan’s interest in securing access to Estonian
seaports. For Astana, Tallinn offers an attractive combination of
political stability, advanced port infrastructure, modern
technologies, and seamless integration into the European Union’s
logistics framework.

According to data from the Bureau of National Statistics,
Kazakhstan transported approximately 955 million tons of cargo from
January to October 2025, reflecting an 8.1 percent increase
compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge in
freight traffic underscores the growing importance of the
Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which serves as
a cornerstone for the emerging Eurasian transport network.

In this context, Estonia could potentially gain access to the
TITR via Latvian infrastructure. Previously, Latvia’s Ambassador to
Azerbaijan, Edgars Skuja, indicated that linking Latvian ports to
the Middle Corridor could facilitate the extension of the route
toward Northeastern Europe and the Baltic Sea, further enhancing
regional connectivity.

In 2024, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport reported that
Latvia, Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Hungary expressed
interest in joining the TITR. That same year, Kazakhstan and Latvia
signed a roadmap to eliminate “bottlenecks” and develop the Middle
Corridor by 2027.

Furthermore, Estonia is involved in the Rail Baltica railway
project, which will connect the Baltic States to the European
railway network with the European standard gauge (1435 mm). In the
future, this could provide Kazakhstan with a more direct and
efficient route to European markets via Estonia.

Specifically, on July 31, 2025, Rail Baltic Estonia and Estonian
company AS TREF Nord signed a contract to construct one of
Estonia’s most complex infrastructure projects – the Soodevahe
transport junction. This will feature a multi-level intersection
where European standard gauge railways meet the “Russian” broad
gauge (1520 mm). This junction will serve as a key link between
Rail Baltica and the deep-water Muuga Port, an important logistics
hub connecting Estonia to the eastern Baltic Sea and Western
Europe’s transport network.

This development could be crucial for Kazakhstan, as the
expansion of the transport route via Estonian ports opens up new
opportunities for exporting Kazakh grain and oilseeds to Europe and
Africa. On November 18, 2025, during the Kazakhstan-Estonia
Business Forum, Kazakhstan’s national grain operator,
Prodkorporatsiya, and the Port of Tallinn signed a memorandum of
cooperation, which also includes the use of Muuga Port
infrastructure.

The parties agreed to jointly coordinate rail transportation to
the Narva-Ivangorod (Russia) border crossing and establish a
competitive supply chain with fixed tariffs for terminal and port
services.

A key advantage for Kazakhstan lies in Estonia’s advanced
digital infrastructure. The implementation of modern IT platforms,
e-Customs systems, and integrated digital solutions significantly
streamlines cargo processing and reduces administrative burdens,
aligning seamlessly with Kazakhstan’s strategy to establish digital
corridors and enhance electronic document flows in cooperation with
international partners.

Estonia’s political stability as a member of both the European
Union and NATO mitigates risks associated with delays, sanctions,
or potential transit disruptions, thereby providing more
predictable conditions for the transit of Kazakh goods into
European markets. Moreover, Estonia’s active role in the EU’s
Global Gateway initiative, which seeks to develop secure,
resilient, and sustainable transport routes connecting Europe and
Asia, further underscores its strategic importance.

By gaining access to Estonian ports, Kazakhstan secures a
technologically advanced, sustainable, and geopolitically resilient
gateway to Europe. This arrangement offers mutual benefits: Estonia
enjoys a stable and increasing flow of freight, while Kazakhstan
enhances its export competitiveness, reduces logistics costs, and
diversifies its supply chain geography.