AD Ports Group Launches GulfLink JV with Kazakhstan Railways
Deal News | Jul 09, 2025 | Zawya
AD Ports Group and Kazakhstan's KTZ Express have commenced operations of their joint venture, GulfLink Ltd., aimed at enhancing logistics in Central Asia. GulfLink is 51% owned by AD Ports Group and 49% by KTZ Express. The joint venture intends to use the growing commercial Middle Corridor through Central Asia to develop trade routes between Asia and Europe, supporting economic growth through strengthened global supply chains. GulfLink enhances connectivity by leveraging AD Ports Group's global resources and KTZ's extensive regional network to provide multimodal logistics solutions. This venture will focus on transforming the Middle Corridor into a significant commercial supply route, aligning with AD Ports Group's strategy to expand in Central Asia, with existing investments totaling over $775 million.
Sectors
- Logistics
- Transportation Infrastructure
- Multimodal Transport
Geography
- Kazakhstan – The article focuses on GulfLink's operations based in Kazakhstan, which is central to AD Ports Group's strategy in Central Asia.
- United Arab Emirates – The UAE is the base of AD Ports Group, one of the key partners in this joint venture, emphasizing its strategic interests in Central Asia.
- Central Asia – The joint venture's scope covers the entire Central Asian region, enhancing the logistics and transportation connectivity within and beyond this geography.
Industry
- Logistics – The article is centered around the logistics sector, specifically discussing a joint venture aimed at improving transportation routes in Central Asia.
- Transportation Infrastructure – The operations and the infrastructure development projects described in the article span rail, road, air, and sea integrating the transportation network of the Middle Corridor.
- Multimodal Transport – Involves the integration of different forms of transportation for logistics solutions, as evidenced by GulfLink's commitment to multimodal connectivity.
Financials
- US$775 million – Investment commitments announced by AD Ports Group in Kazakhstan, part of their strategic expansion in Central Asia.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AD Ports Group | Partner | Company | A UAE-based ports and logistics company participating as the majority shareholder in GulfLink. |
| KTZ Express | Partner | Company | A subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways, engaging in the joint venture with AD Ports Group to develop GulfLink's logistics capabilities in Central Asia. |
| Kazakhstan Railways | Partner | Company | State-owned enterprise and key stakeholder through its subsidiary KTZ Express in the GulfLink joint venture. |
| GulfLink Ltd. | Joint Venture | Company | The newly formed logistics joint venture between AD Ports Group and KTZ Express aimed at enhancing Central Asian logistics. |