外媒：提高中欧运力，哈萨克斯坦将疏浚阿克套港口周围水域

Core Points - Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport announced the dredging of the Caspian Sea waters around the Aktau Port to enhance the capacity of the important transport route connecting Asia and Europe [1][2] - The "Middle Corridor" trade route spans 11,000 kilometers and involves multimodal transport methods, including rail and maritime [1] - The European Union announced a €10 billion investment to develop this route through Central Asia, highlighting its growing geopolitical and economic significance [1] - The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions on Russia have prompted Europe to seek alternative import routes from China and Asia [1] Dredging Project - The dredging project at Aktau Port is crucial for improving navigation efficiency, as the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea have severely impacted the route's operational capacity [2] - The dredging work is set to begin in May 2023, with funding from Kazakhstan's national railway company and government allocations, aiming for partial completion within the year [2] - The dredging is part of Kazakhstan's strategy to enhance the Middle Corridor's capacity, facilitating the export of oil, refined oil, fertilizers, and agricultural products [2] Trade Relations - Kazakhstan is increasingly becoming a key node for trade between Asia and Europe, with growing cooperation with Chinese enterprises to develop the Aktau Port container hub [2] - In December 2022, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport announced a test agreement with China for transporting lithium batteries through the Middle Corridor to Europe [2] - Besides the Middle Corridor, goods from China can also reach Europe via northern routes through Russia or southern routes through Iran and Turkey [3]