Iran launches pilot container transit from Russia to India via Astrakhan

ASTRAKHAN. June 15 (Interfax) - Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has shipped three 40-foot containers through the Astrakhan port of Olya for subsequent shipment to Nhava Sheva Port in India, the Foreign Relations Ministry of Astrakhan Region said in a press release.

"The first pilot shipment, consisting of three 40-food containers with spruce lumber and flat rolled aluminum, was delivered by railway from St. Petersburg to PJSC Astrakhan Port," the press release said.

From there, a dry cargo vessel belonging to IRISL subsidiary Khazar Sea Shipping Lines sailed across the Caspian Sea to Iran. All three containers are now going through customs at the Iranian port of Anzali for subsequent shipment overland to the Persian Gulf port of Bander Abbas, where they will again be loaded onto a ship and taken to Nhava Sheva Port.

Prior to this, cargo was shipped to South and Southeast Asia through the Caspian region only sporadically, the press release said, citing the head of the PJSC Astrakhan Port investment project, Dariush Jamali. Now the Iranian shipping company has created a pilot mechanism for container transit from Russia to India using just one shipping document for the whole route.

"This transit corridor will make it possible to reduce transport costs, including port and customs expenses, reduce container storage times, speed up cargo delivery, and eliminate the risk of product owners during internal shipment of full and empty containers. This will ultimately have a positive impact on trade turnover," Jamali was quoted as saying.