Russia and Iran are exploring the creation of a new maritime container route linking the Russian port of Makhachkala with Iranian ports, as part of efforts to strengthen the North–South International Transport Corridor.
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| © Sputnik |
According to Russia’s Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot), the two sides discussed the launch of a regular container shipping line across the Caspian Sea, as well as plans to form a consortium of shipping companies and develop passenger cruise routes in the region.
Makhachkala, located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, is Russia’s only ice-free Caspian port and serves as a key logistics hub in the growing corridor.
Plans also include the construction of a high-tech grain terminal and the modernization of existing container facilities, aimed at boosting trade capacity and improving transport efficiency between Russia and its southern partners.
The North–South International Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-kilometer-long multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes designed to facilitate freight transport between Russia, Iran, India, and other regional economies.
Initiated in 2000 by Russia, Iran, and India, the corridor provides a faster and more cost-effective alternative to the traditional route through the Suez Canal, potentially reducing transit times by up to 40%.
