Tashkent taps DP World for a new logistics terminal: UAE port operator DP World has formed a JV — DP World Tashkent — with Uzbekistan’s Tashkent City Administration subsidiary, Tashkent Invest, to establish a multimodal logistics terminal in Tashkent City, according to a statement published on Friday. The project, located in the Yangi Avlod Special Industrial Zone, is earmarked for a total investment of over USD 288 mn — set to be dispersed across three phases.

A long time coming: DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem inked an MoU with officials from Uzbekistan to develop freezones and logistics centers in the country back in September 2024.

Who’s doing what? DP World will hold 85% of the JV equity capital, while Tashkent Invest will contribute the remaining 15%. 

First things first: The first phase will see the development of a rail terminal capable of handling 150k TEU per year and a 63k sqm warehouse complex by the end of FY 2026-27. An additional 163k sqm of warehousing capacity will be developed in subsequent phases based on demand.

What else is in store? The Tashkent Multimodal Logistics Terminal is expected to span over some 82 hectares in the zone. Once fully up and running, it will offer various logistics solutions, featuring a rail-connected dry port for containers and covered cargo, customs clearance zones, vehicle storage zones, truck parking, cross-docking facilities, and Grade A warehouses. The terminal is designed to operate as a vital link between the region, Central Asia, and Europe.

AD Ports also had its eye on the terminal: AD Ports was reportedly in talks with Uzbekistan to establish a logistics center in the Tashkent region. The port operator formed a JV in 2023 with SEG Enara Group, aimed at building dry ports and container yards, and specializes in engineering logistics services, multimodal transportation, warehouses, and customs clearance.

Supporting UAE + Central Asia trade links: The UAE and Uzbekistan inked at least 15 investment agreements and contracts across the logistics, transportation, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture sectors, earlier this year. AD Ports Group also partnered with Kazakhstan Railway’s freight arm KTZ Express to launch its new Central Asian logistics JV in July.

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