After trial run in June, sanctions-proof corridor to Russia via Iran takes off

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, July 12

Iran on Tuesday held an elaborate ceremony to welcome the first Russian cargo bound for India via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a sanctions-proof land-sea transportation corridor passing through a dozen countries.

Iran says the transportation of cargo through the north-south corridor has entered the operational phase after completing a trial phase in June when commodities were transited between Russia and India.

The project remained in the early stages of execution for many years. But due to new conditions and the disconnection of Russia and Europe, this corridor has come under the spotlight once again for the purpose of carrying cargo between India and Russia. Indicating the importance of this initiative, the Russian cargo of 39 containers was welcomed into Iran by First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber along with ministers for transport, oil, industry and agriculture. A train had left Chekhov station on July 6 and travelled 3,800 km through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to enter Iran. The cargo will be transported to Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran through a 1,600 km rail route to finally be sent to India’s Nhava Sheva Port via sea.

Mokhber said the transit capacity of Iran has increased to 20 million tons and further investments and planning could increase it to 300 million tons. The north-south corridor consists of three route sections, namely East, West and Middle. Iran and Russia are also cooperating in the maritime sector to use the Caspian Sea to shorten the transit route from Russia to India. Earlier this week, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) announced that it has assigned 300 containers to transport goods between Russia and India.

Cargo on way

• A train had left Chekhov station in Russia on July 6 and travelled 3,800 km through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to enter Iran
• The cargo will be transported to Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran through a 1,600 km rail route to finally be sent to India’s Nhava Sheva Port via sea