In a pioneering move, cargo en route from Russia to Saudi Arabia has traversed the North-South transport corridor, marking the inaugural use of this route through Iran’s territory. As reported by the Iranian agency Tasnim, referencing Miad Salehi, the executive director of Iranian Railways, the transportation encompasses both rail and maritime segments.

Specifically, a freight train consisting of 36 containers entered Iran via Turkmenistan’s Inche / Burun checkpoint. Subsequently, it proceeded to Iran’s port of Bandar Abbas, where it is set to be dispatched directly to Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah port.

This marks the first instance of utilizing a segment of the international “North-South” transport corridor for transit purposes. The comprehensive corridor project was initiated in 2000 through an agreement involving Russia, Iran, and India. However, active use of this route by Russia only began in February 2022, coinciding with the imposition of sanctions. One of the key advantages of this corridor is the enhanced access it provides to the seas and, consequently, global oceans.

The North-South International Transport Corridor encompasses three branches. The eastern route, circumventing the Caspian Sea, primarily traverses Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, with a predominant emphasis on railway connectivity.