The deal was made on fringes of the Central Asia Summit that was held in Berlin in late September. The two parties say the joint ventures will see them operate and expand combined terminals in Andijan and Samarkand.
Under the agreement, two joint ventures will be established between Rhenus and Uztemiryulkonteyner, a subsidiary of Uzbek Railways.
According to the parties, strategic measures have been agreed to expand capacity and increase rail freight traffic in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
“This strategic partnership with Uzbekistan Railway opens a new chapter in Rhenus almost 30-year presence in Central Asian states, a region home to around 94 million people. In the years ahead, we expect growing demand for the transportation of containerized goods and commodities that we connect with Europe’s transport networks along the Middle Corridor of the,” commented Tobias Bartz, CEO and Chairman of the Rhenus Group.
In its press release regarding the joint ventures, Rhenus Logistics refers to Uzbekistan as being by far the most populous country in Central Asia with more than 35 million residents.
Rhenus Logistics adds that the country is experiencing “robust economic growth”, and acts as an essential bridge between China, Turkey and Europe.
“Investing in transshipment capacity in the economically emerging regions of Ferghana Valley and Samarkand will allow us and our partner to pursue further long-term transport projects,” added Heinrich Kerstgens, Head of the Project and Director Board Projects at Rhenus Group, at the signing of the memorandum in Berlin.
Along with its operations in Uzbekistan, the Rhenus Group also has its own companies in the neighboring countries of Kazakhstan, the southern Caucasus and the Asia-Pacific region.