Russia hoping to use INSTC to evade sanctions, says think tank
According to the US-based think tank The Jamestown Foundation, Russia hopes to use the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a way to evade Western sanctions. The development of the corridor allows Russia to gain...Read moreRail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan grow by 28%
Rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan have grown by 28 per cent over an 11-month period. Between March 2023 and February 2024, approximately 645,000 tonnes of goods were transported via rail between the two...Read more
Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan create INSTC joint venture
Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan plan to create a joint venture for the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The plan aims to improve the delivery of transportation services, shorten cargo delivery times and...Read more
Is INSTC’s Rasht-Astara line on track for another setback?
It is probably the most critical railway section of the International North-South Corridor (INSTC), and its construction has been planned for a few years, with several ups and downs along the way. The Rasht-Astara railway...Read more
Russia grants Belarus 40% rail freight discount
Russia is granting Belarus a discount of up to 40 per cent on rail freight transportation, according to the Belarusian ministry of transport. The two allies have agreed on a discount that applies to the...Read more
EU to invest 10 billion euros in Middle Corridor
The European Union is allocating 10 billion euros for the development of the so-called Middle Corridor. It has identified 33 infrastructure projects to be financed, among which are many rail projects. The EU hopes to...Read more
‘Forget the IMEC, focus on the INSTC,’ says India
Instability caused by the ongoing war in Gaza and Houthi attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea has put the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) on hold until further notice. India seems to be reassessing its...Read more
Construction of key INSTC rail section in Iran begins in early 2024
rasht-astara railwayThe Rasht-Astara railway line is a key missing link along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which aims to connect Russia and India. According to Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, construction of this...Read more
How far is the INSTC in reaching its volume targets?
Cargo transit via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) has already exceeded 10 million tons this year. The Iranian Deputy Minister of Transport and Urban Development, Shahriyar Afandizadeh, shared the information. With this figure in...Read more
RZD continues offering discounts on the INSTC and other routes
Russian state-owned railway company RZD introduces another round of discounts along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The company established an 8,9 per cent discount on grain transport along the corridor, which will apply for...Read more
Iran and Russia want to invest 36 billion euros in the INSTC
Iran and Russia claim to be ready to invest around 36 billion euros in the development of trans-Caspain lines along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Concerning Iranian investments mentioned on rail freight, they include...Read more
Azerbaijan-Iran bridge interests and infrastructure to the benefit of INSTC
Geopolitical instability in the Caucasus area does not seem to hinder the development of relations between Iran and Azerbaijan. In contrast, it appears to be strengthening them. The two countries have also found themselves in...Read more
Can there be an India-Middle East-Europe corridor without Turkey?
ANALYSISThe recent confirmation of the US and EU-led plan to establish an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which will also be of great rail transport and logistics significance, has received the first backlash. Turkey’s President Recep...Read more
Connecting India and Central Asia via Latvia, how and why?
India has the ambition to step closer to Central Asian countries, but direct rail connections from India to Central Asia are unrealistic for mostly geopolitical reasons. Thus, rail-sea intermodal services become the solution, despite the...Read moreSaudi Arabia and Iran reactivate logistics service for Russian cargo
Russian cargo heading to Saudi Arabia can now transit on the Iranian rail network up to the port of Bandar Abbas. The option for this service was deactivated seven years ago due to the deteriorating...Read more
Will INSTC synergy attempts produce the expected results?
A new technology and logistics union is in the making in Russia to foster closer trade and economic ties with countries around the Caspian Sea and Central Asia. The union’s primary purpose will be to...Read more
Fesco to build container terminal on key INSTC node
terminal thursdayRussian transport giant Fesco will build a container terminal in the Ashtrakan region, an area of Russia that borders Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea. The location is relevant for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)...Read more
Pakistan on track to become the new Persian Gulf gateway via rail
ANALYSISThe race to acquire a place in global supply chains is intensifying, and Pakistan seems committed to getting a good position. The South Asian country is on track to launch two railway projects, which are...Read more
Turkmenistan officially joins the INSTC
The Russian government has agreed to have Turkmenistan join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The addition of Turkmenistan offers an alternative route on the eastern branch of the corridor that would bypass Azerbaijan.Read more