Our Terminals
- Home Page
- Our Terminals
- Kazakhstan Port
Dongoleksor Aqtau: The Caspian Gateway for Central Asian Energy
Strategically located on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, the Dongoleksor Aqtau Terminal is the vital conduit for Kazakhstan’s burgeoning energy exports. As a key logistics hub in our global network, this facility bridges landlocked production fields in Central Asia to international markets via versatile maritime and rail routes, providing secure, flexible, and scalable storage solutions. The ports are integrally linked to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which, while primarily a pipeline system, uses its marine terminal at Novorossiysk (Russia) on the Black Sea as its final export point.
Landlocked yet energy-rich, Kazakhstan’s access to the global oil market is ingeniously engineered through its strategic ports on the Caspian Sea. The Aktau and Kuryk oil port terminals serve as the nation’s critical maritime gateways, enabling the export of its vast crude oil resources to international markets and solidifying its position as the dominant economic force in the Caspian region. As the world’s largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan’s ability to export oil via pipelines is limited to fixed routes, primarily to Russia and China. The Caspian Sea ports provide a vital alternative and a flexible route to the West, unlocking access to the Black Sea and Mediterranean markets via the Caucasus.
Numbers
1.2 million cbm
Total Storage Capacity
48
Total Number of Tanks
14
Draught meter
Terminal Specifications & Infrastructure
Our infrastructure is designed to manage the challenges of a dynamic export market, offering multiple routes to market.
Tank Capacity Breakdown:
The terminal is optimized for the high-volume storage and transshipment of crude oil, with dedicated capacity for refined products.
| Product Type | Number of Tanks | Capacity Range (per tank) | Total Dedicated Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil (KEBCO & Other Grades) | 28 | 20,000 – 50,000 cbm | ~0.9 Million cbm |
| Diesel & Gas Oil | 12 | 5,000 – 20,000 cbm | ~0.2 Million cbm |
| Gasoline & Naphtha | 8 | 5,000 – 15,000 cbm | ~0.1 Million cbm |
Marine & Logistics Infrastructure:
-
Marine Access: 2 specialized berths capable of handling tankers up to 12,000 DWT, with plans for dredging to accommodate larger vessels. Direct access to Caspian Sea shipping routes to Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran.
-
Railcar Unloading: High-capacity railcar unloading racks connected to the national railway network, allowing for the efficient intake of crude and products from across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
-
Pipeline Connectivity: Access to regional pipeline networks for both receipt and send-out of crude oil.
-
Heated Storage: Specifically designed heated tanks to maintain the flow properties of waxy Kazakh crude, especially during colder months.
Value-Added Services:
-
Crude Blending: Custom blending services to meet specific buyer and pipeline specifications.
-
Transshipment Hub: Efficient transfer between rail, storage, and marine vessels.
-
Quality Testing: On-site laboratory for comprehensive analysis and certification of crude and products.
-
Truck Loading: Dedicated bays for truck loading to serve regional domestic markets.
Strategic Advantages
-
Critical Export Gateway: Provides a key maritime export route for Kazakh crude oil, independent of pipelines transiting other nations.
-
Multi-Modal Flexibility: Unique capability to receive oil via both pipeline and rail, maximizing supply optionality and security for our customers.
-
Access to the TCO & Kashagan Fields: Strategically positioned to handle crude from Kazakhstan’s largest oil fields.
-
Bridging East and West: Facilitates the “Middle Corridor” trade route, connecting Central Asia to European and global markets via the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus.
Commitment to Safety and Sustainability in Aqtau
Operating in the sensitive ecosystem of the Caspian Sea, we implement the highest international standards.
-
Zero-Spill Commitment: Advanced tank design with double bottoms and full secondary containment dykes. State-of-the-art leak detection systems are employed throughout the facility.
-
Vapor Management: Vapor recovery units installed on crude oil tanks to minimize emissions.
-
Protected Waterways: Membership in the Caspian Sea Pollution Prevention initiative and a fully equipped, 24/7 oil spill response team.
-
Community Partnership: Active investment in local Aqtau communities through employment, education initiatives, and environmental stewardship programs.
