Makhachkala Commercial Seaport to expand cargo traffic to Iran, Dagestan says
MAKHACHKALA. Nov 21 (Interfax) - JSC Makhachkala Commercial Seaport (MMTP) in the southern Russian region of Dagestan plans to expand export shipments to the Anzali free trade and industrial zone in Iran, the regional government's press service reported.
"The launch of a joint marine transport company, given the purchase of the necessary number of containers, [...] could make it possible to carry out container shipments in substantial volumes and on a regular basis. The successful modernization of the Makhachkala port's infrastructure will open new opportunities for international cooperation, as well as facilitate the growth of cargo traffic," Dagestan Prime Minister Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov said in the press release.
The Anzali zone has a strategic transport and transit position along the North-South international transport corridor, the press service said.
"The Anzali zone is known for its favorable conditions for doing business, which makes it attractive, including within the context of tax breaks and the development of a transport network. Dagestan, on its part, proposed to the leadership [of the Anzali zone] to consider the possibility of cooperation in the areas of agriculture, fishing and processing of agricultural products," the press release said.
The port plans to expand export and import routes within the context of the East-West and North-South transport corridors, and negotiations are underway to start container shipments from India through Iranian ports. The first trial shipment arrived at the Makhachkala port at the end of 2024.
It was reported earlier that MMTP plans to expand export shipments to Iraq, India and other countries in Asia and the Middle East. The company expects these initiatives will help increase cargo traffic and cost efficiency and strengthen the port's position as a key link in international supply chains.
The Makhachkala seaport is Russia's only ice-free and deep-water port on the Caspian Sea and can accommodate vessels up to 150 meters long with a draft of up to 4.5 meters in the dry cargo harbor and up to 6.5 meters in the oil loading harbor.
MMTP has facilities that handle dry cargo, light and dark oil products, and general, bulk and containerized cargo. It also has railway and automobile ferry terminals and a grain terminal.
