Ulyanovsk region and Azerbaijan discussing launching regular cargo rail service to Iran

ULYANOVSK. May 30 (Interfax) - The Ulyanovsk region has entered into agreements with Azerbaijani companies AGT Cargo, TEZ Logistics and the Absheron Logistics Center on a project to launch a regular block train on the Ulyanovsk - Baku (Azerbaijan) - Astara (Iran) route, the press service of the governor and government of the Ulyanovsk region reported.

AGT Cargo will provide forwarding support for agricultural cargo while TEZ Logistics provides support for industrial cargo. The Absheron Logistics Center cargo terminal will provide storage and further redistribution of cargo for the project.

The agreements were signed on May 29 during the working visit of a regional delegation led by Governor Alexei Russkikh to Baku.

"I held negotiations with the Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Rovshan Rustamov. We are completing the design of the route of our block train together with our Azerbaijani colleagues and Russian Railways. We received full support from our colleagues to implement the project, which is important for the development of the North-South International Transport Corridor. [..] The launch of the train will reduce the delivery time of goods and the cost of transportation, as well as create stable rolling stock. We will systematize deliveries to Azerbaijan and the Persian Gulf countries. We will include new shippers from the Ulyanovsk region and neighboring regions in export shipments," Russkikh said.

The agreements provide for the joint use of logistics services by enterprises in both the Ulyanovsk region and Azerbaijan.

The circular railway route is expected to become an integral part of the Middle Volga - Caspian Sea - Persian Gulf logistics project, and will ensure the operation of the western railway corridor, allowing the delivery of both export and import cargo in the shortest possible time. Several issues are currently under discussion with Russian Railways, including the list of loading stations.

As reported, the Ulyanovsk region is working on a comprehensive logistics solution as part of the North-South International Transport Corridor called the Middle Volga - Caspian Sea - Persian Gulf trade and logistics channel. It is expected that the new logistics route will significantly increase trade turnover with the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East, develop shipping on the Volga, and contribute to the modernization of port infrastructure.