Although the volume of transport services in Uzbekistan has surged significantly and 27 domestic logistics centers have officially attained international dry port status, these critical nodes currently fail to operate as a unified national transport and logistics network. These findings stem from a comprehensive study conducted by the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which thoroughly evaluated the current state of the industry, infrastructure bottlenecks, and regulatory constraints.
Key Takeaways: Since 2017, the annual volume of transport services has expanded more than fivefold, rising from 36 trillion soms to 188.2 trillion soms. In the first half of 2026 alone, transport services reached 85.3 trillion soms, marking a 43 percent year-on-year increase, while 27 domestic logistics hubs joined the UN ESCAP international network despite lingering systemic challenges.
According to the study's authors, if existing infrastructural, financial, and administrative barriers are not promptly resolved, the country risks losing a substantial portion of potential revenues derived from international transport corridors. The strategic document examines the warehousing real estate market, investment limitations, and global benchmarks, outlining seven critical reform directions that include attracting international operators, expanding public-private partnerships, and establishing a unified digital logistics platform.
Cargo transportation structures are also evolving. According to Eurasian Development Bank data, rail container shipments in Uzbekistan reached 100,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for the first time in 2025, with total rail freight exceeding 107.9 million tons. Nevertheless, bulk commodities such as coal, ore, and construction materials continue to dominate the railway freight mix, highlighting an ongoing need to accelerate containerization compared to regional peers like Kazakhstan.
The integration of major facilities—including Navoi Cargo, Kungrad Cargo Impex, Multimodal Trans Terminal, Universal Logistics Services, Orient Logistics Centre, and Termez Cargo Centre—has expanded the UN-backed network capacity by 15 percent. However, researchers warn that international recognition alone cannot resolve deep-seated organizational hurdles, emphasizing the critical need for seamless integration with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the prospective China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and broader Eurasian corridors.
Source: www.gazeta.uz