From France to Almaty along the Middle Corridor
The heavy transport from France to Almaty is one of the most demanding lanes in our portfolio. Along the Middle Corridor it runs from France via Italy and the Balkan route into Turkey, on through Georgia to Azerbaijan and Baku, from there by Caspian ferry across the Caspian Sea to Aktau, and then overland straight across the Kazakh steppe to Almaty in the south-east of the country. The total distance is around 7,000 km – which clearly makes this a multi-week transport. Deliberately, no Russian transit is used; the Middle Corridor is the established alternative towards Central Asia.
Oversize Transports acts as an independent project forwarder and organises the lane as a closed chain: feasibility, routing, permits, escorting and customs from a single source.
Permits: from the convoi exceptionnel to Kazakhstan
A transport originating in France starts with the “convoi exceptionnel”, covered depending on category by an arrêté préfectoral or a standing permit. It is followed by the national special permits for Italy, the Balkan countries, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The German §29 StVO rule (German road traffic regulations) only applies if a German section of the route is touched – which is not the case on the route via Italy and the Balkans. Kazakhstan has its own axle load and route requirements; the long distances between Aktau and Almaty partly run over basic trunk roads whose bridges and load-bearing capacity must be checked in advance.
The Caspian ferry as the critical pacemaker
The Baku–Aktau ferry connection is not a scheduled service with a fixed timetable but sails on demand. Ferry windows, weather and the capacity for heavy items largely determine the schedule. We plan sufficient buffers and coordinate delivery at the port of Baku so that waiting times and transhipment effort are minimised. For excess weight and excess dimensions, ferry capacity must be confirmed bindingly in advance.
Customs: end-to-end TIR procedure
Given the large number of non-EU borders, the TIR carnet is the obvious choice, supplemented by T1 from the external EU border in the Balkans. The consignment thus remains under customs seal and checks concentrate on entry and exit rather than on every intermediate border. Import clearance takes place in Kazakhstan. This lane is part of our international heavy haulage services.
Equipment, securing and escorting
For the mountain sections in Eastern Anatolia and the Lesser Caucasus, as well as the partly rough infrastructure in Kazakhstan, robust low-bed or modular axle vehicles are standard; the right equipment selection with steered axle lines and sufficient ground clearance is decisive. Loads are secured by positive and friction locking in line with recognised engineering standards, with particular attention to lashing during the ferry crossing. Depending on the dimensions, a BF3/BF4 escort and, in individual countries, an official escort are deployed.
Kazakhstan-specific notes
Almaty lies close to the borders with Kyrgyzstan and China and is a central transhipment point for Central Asia. Country details and requirements can be found on our page on heavy haulage to Kazakhstan.
Feasibility study for an ultra-long lane
Over around 7,000 km and with a sea passage, the feasibility study is particularly thorough. We assess weight, dimensions and centre of gravity, define the axle load concept and, in parallel, clarify ferry capacity in Baku for the specific item. The overland sections in Kazakhstan – from the port of Aktau to Almaty – are checked for bridge capacity and road condition, as long distances here run over basic trunk roads.
Buffers, time windows and ferry frequency
The Caspian ferry sets the pace for the entire lane. Because it sails on demand, we plan generous time buffers and synchronise the overland permits so that they do not expire if the crossing is delayed. Night driving bans and weekend restrictions in the transit countries, as well as Kazakh driving-time rules, feed in on top. This buffer logic is what distinguishes robust planning from a mere mileage estimate.
Oversize Transports as an independent project partner
As the brand of HSNK s.r.o. from Prague, Oversize Transports executes the France–Almaty lane as a closed project, independently and without network ties. The Middle Corridor with the Caspian ferry is our core competence for Central Asia, precisely because it opens up the route without Russian transit. Send us your project by phone or via the enquiry form; we check feasibility, ferry windows and the permit chain.