Green transport corridors as a factor of sustainable competitive advantages of Kazakhstan in Central Asia

Abstract

The article provides an empirical and analytical assessment of Kazakhstan’s ability to transform its existing transport and logistics infrastructure into a competitive advantage within Central Asia. Based on a comparison of indicators for 2020–2024 and a case-study analysis, the authors demonstrate the country’s substantial infrastructural capacity-including an extensive railway network, port connectivity through the Caspian Sea, and key border crossings with China-which has supported a notable increase in transit volumes. The analysis of technological and institutional developments highlights progress in the digitalization of operations (electronic documentation and tracking platforms), partial railway electrification, and the expansion of renewable-energy initiatives. The authors show that the combination of digital traceability and technical modernization creates the foundations for the commercialization of low-carbon transport corridors; at the same time, several constraints are identified, including uneven electrification, the need for accurate verification of energy consumption and the share of renewables, as well as fragmented regional digital integration, which collectively limit the full realization of this potential. The results have practical significance for policy formation and investment strategies in the field of transit logistics.