Ulyanovsk to Persian Gulf Block Train Services To Begin

The Ulyanosk regional government has said that negotiations are currently underway to launch a regular block train service from Ulyanovsk-Baku-Astara to deliver goods to Iran and other Gulf countries. Agreements have been made with both domestic and foreign companies and signed with individual logistics partners. The implementation of the project will contribute not only to the growth of trade turnover of the Ulyanovsk region with the Middle East, but also in general the development of the North-South International Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Ulyanovsk is on the Volga River about 500km east of Moscow. It is well known as the birthplace of Lenin. Block trains are digitally secured freight cargo railway trains that allows the fast processing of contents through different borders without the need to examine the cargo.

Alexey Russkikh, the Ulyanovsk governor, visited Baku (Azerbaijan), recently, during which agreements were signed with individual logistics partners providing for the Ulyanovsk-Baku-Astara service. Astara is Iran’s Caspian Sea Port.

Goods from Ulyanovsk will transit through Baku with the possibility of redistribution and further shipment to neighbouring regions. The final destination of the train will be Astara in Iran, although further ongoing transit supplies to Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries are also being planned.

At the moment, the development of technology, loading stations and other issues are being coordinated with Russian Railways, while work on designing the block train route is being carried out jointly with Azerbaijan Railways.

Russkikh said that “The economy of the Ulyanovsk region needs regular routes to increase trade turnover with friendly countries. The launch of the train will reduce delivery times and transportation costs, as well as create a stable rolling stock. We systematize supplies to Azerbaijan and the Persian Gulf countries. We will involve new shippers from the Ulyanovsk region and neighbouring regions in export deliveries.”

The basis of the export flow will be grains, flour, auto components, building materials, woodworking products and furniture.

In general, the launch of the project will also contribute to the development of the western branch of the international North-South transport corridor, which passes through the territory of Azerbaijan and Iran. At the same time, it is worth noting that at the moment work on the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway section, which should connect Azerbaijan and Iran, is just beginning. The 162 km line should be operational by 2027.