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Iran, Russia to Advance Joint Maritime Transport Consortium Proposal

By Abbas Nazil

Iran and Russia have agreed to convene a high-level meeting in the Russian port city of Makhachkala within the next two months to advance a joint maritime transport consortium, a significant step aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in maritime logistics and trade.

The decision was the result of a phone conversation between Saeed Rasouli, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Urban Development and head of the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), and Dmitry Azarov, Russia’s Deputy Transport Minister.

The upcoming session will include top officials from Iran’s PMO, Russia’s Ministry of Transport, the Russian Federal Maritime and River Transport Agency, as well as private sector representatives from both countries.

It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Iran-Russia Joint Action Plan for 2025, signed earlier this year in Tehran, and to follow up on agreements made during the most recent Iran-Russia Joint Commission meeting in Moscow.

During the discussion, Rasouli emphasized the strategic importance of enhancing combined transport and transit operations through the Caspian Sea, particularly within the framework of the International North–South Transit Corridor (INSTC).

He underlined the necessity of promoting container shipping and ensuring smooth cargo movement between Iranian and Russian ports, asserting that the proposed consortium would serve as a vehicle for resolving existing logistical challenges and enhancing private sector involvement.

Rasouli also expressed gratitude for Russia’s collaborative spirit in drafting the 2025 roadmap and urged the swift operationalization of the joint consortium.

Highlighting Iran’s proactive role during a recent regional summit on Caspian cooperation, he reiterated Tehran’s readiness to develop a comprehensive maritime roadmap and a joint operational plan to fortify sea transport ties between the two nations.

Key focus areas identified by Rasouli included the harmonization of port tariffs, the streamlining of customs procedures, and the advancement of container and multimodal shipping across the Caspian.

He noted that these goals demand robust on-the-ground cooperation and sustained participation from private enterprises.

Responding to these proposals, Azarov expressed Russia’s full support and commitment to tackling pressing issues in Caspian maritime logistics.

He pointed to existing inefficiencies in cargo scheduling and difficulties in the handling of perishable goods as areas in urgent need of reform.

Azarov added that Moscow is eager to establish a broad-based agreement with Tehran covering maritime and port-related cooperation.

The Makhachkala meeting is expected to be a key milestone in operationalizing the maritime consortium and strengthening Iran-Russia transport links, with both nations aiming for rapid and durable results that benefit public and private stakeholders alike.

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