Mongolia and China have officially launched construction of the Gashuunsukhait–Gantsmod port railway, a major strategic project aimed at strengthening cross-border transport infrastructure and boosting coal exports.
On June 9, a construction agreement was signed between Mongolia’s “Tavantolgoi Railway” LLC and China’s “Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group” LLC. The project kicked off with the drilling of the first support pile for a railway bridge at the border connection point.
This project is an important strategic project being implemented within the framework of Mongolia-China cooperation. The Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port railway is planned to be a transport network with a total length of 32.6 km, class 1, 1520 mm wide and 1435 mm narrow gauge dual track, with a capacity to transport 40 million tons of cargo per year.
Of this, 19.5 km is the main railway, the rest includes single and double bridge structures with a height of 8-31 meters, border control complexes, technological buildings, and a comprehensive infrastructure solution.
Construction is expected to be completed in 22 (24) months and will include the development of cross-border railway bridges, dual-gauge terminals, entry point facilities, and border inspection infrastructure. The project is financed by “Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi” JSC in accordance with a parliamentary resolution, with an estimated budget of MNT 902 billion.
The new railway is expected to double Mongolia’s coal export capacity from 83 million to 165 million tons annually. The Gashuunsukhait–Gantsmod corridor alone could handle up to 30 million tons of coal each year. At a market rate of USD 100 per ton, this would yield USD 3 billion in export revenue.
Rail freight along this route is projected to generate USD 250–300 million annually, boosting Mongolia’s GDP by an estimated USD 1,000 per capita.
In addition, the railway paves the way for future cross-border connections at other key ports including Shiveekhuren, Khangi, and Bichigt.
This marks the second major Mongolia–China railway project since the Zamyn-Uud–Ereen railway was established in 1955. It is the first time in 70 years that a railway is connecting the Gashuunsukhait–Gantsmod port, an important milestone in Mongolia’s infrastructure development and international trade integration

Published Date:2025-06-16