Tatarstan To Develop New Kama River Port To Integrate With INSTC

The Nizhnekamsk district in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan is to develop and launch quay infrastructure of a new Kama River port next year, which will become part of a logistics complex linking to the INSTC corridor. This will open up the region to be part of the North-South Corridor and improve trade links with the Middle East and India.

The launch will open up full navigation of the Kama River and allow for the organization of an open area for storing metal products. It is also planned to create a railway line—it will ensure the uninterrupted reception of freight trains with products from metallurgical giants such as the regional Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, Severstal, and EVRAZ.

The local government press agency stated that “The developer has received a building permit for the first land plot, which is the official start for the first stage—the river port. We plan to drive the first sheet piles this month.”

It is specified that the next stage is the construction and launch of temporary storage warehouses, a sorting center, and the organization of a customs terminal. Their implementation is planned for 2026-2028.

The total area of the logistics complex’s warehouse premises will be about 100,000 square meters, and the simultaneous storage volume, more than 120,000 tonnes. Customs control will allow for the necessary operations to be carried out on the hub’s territory, creating a “single window” principle and significantly speeding up the goods release procedure.

The Nizhnekamsk international hub will include both logistics and production facilities.

The complex is expected to connect the Ural region with the south of Russia, and along with the river facilities, it will relieve the railway system from overcapacity and simplify logistics. The Kama River flows for 1,805 km and is the longest tributary of the Volga, which empties out into the Caspian Sea at Astrakhan. From there, goods can be transported by ship west to the Caucasus and west to Turkiye, east to Central Asia, and south to Iran and onto the Middle East and South Asia.

Radmir Belyaev, head of the Nizhnekamsk district, said that “Most importantly, we will continue to develop water logistics. Accordingly, we will relieve the railways. A large amount of rolled metal cargo travels on them. Also, as stated by the investors, a full cycle of bearing production will be established.”

Tatarstan has traditionally close investment and trade ties with South Asia and has long been developing and improving infrastructure to build on this. The Indian government has announced the opening of a new consulate in Kazan, the regional capital, to service demand.