Overview
- Rosmorrechflot chief Andrey Tarasenko confirmed plans to start multimodal container services via Iran in 2026 on Russia–Iran–India and Russia–Iran–China routes.
- The services are being integrated into the International North–South Transport Corridor to give Russia access to the Indian Ocean and streamline transit flows.
- Talks with Iran’s IRISL and its Caspian unit KSSL date to April 2025, with current work focused on a joint maritime consortium and information exchange on participants.
- Route design is not limited to Makhachkala, with alternatives under review including Sviyazhsk, St. Petersburg, and other existing or planned Russian hubs.
- Project choices will be determined by profitability, logistical convenience, and the efficiency of multimodal operations along the corridor.