From July 12, Kazakhstan introduces strict restrictions on the registration of used foreign-made railway rolling stock, reported Alexander Polikarpov, co-founder and managing partner for analytics at ROLLINGSTOCK Agency, on his Telegram channel. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the expert, this effectively closes the Kazakh market for most used wagons, which could come, in particular, from Russia.
The restrictions do not apply to new freight wagons.
In addition, Kazakhstan will continue to register certain types of specialized rolling stock, including cement carriers, pellet carriers, dump cars, transporters, refrigerated wagons, thermal wagons, and a number of specialized tank cars.
An exception is also made for track machinery that is not produced in Kazakhstan.
Polikarpov believes that Russian operators are ready to sell part of their fleet at attractive prices due to an oversupply of wagons on the market. However, after the new rules come into force, Kazakh companies will practically lose the opportunity to buy such wagons.
The restrictions are introduced until the end of 2030. However, it is assumed that they may become indefinite in the future.
For now, Russian factories retain the ability to supply new wagons to Kazakhstan, but as local production develops, restrictions may also extend to them.
Summing up, the expert noted that the new rules create another trade barrier within the Eurasian Economic Union, despite the principles of free movement of goods between the member countries.
Earlier, Kursiv reported why Kazakhstan will pay 4 times more for American locomotives.