The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, “All kinds of measures will be taken for the target of increasing Turkey-Iran transports, which are in an increasing trend, to 1 million tons in 2021.”
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure stated that every measure will be taken for the target of 1 million tons of freight in Turkey-Iran railway transportation this year.
In the statement made by the Ministry, it was stated that the representatives of Turkey-Iran railways met in Ankara on 12-13 January. In this context, it was stated that a memorandum of understanding was signed to start a new era in rail transport between Turkey and Iran.
It was emphasized that despite the conditions of the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic between Turkey and Iran, 564 thousand tons of freight were transported by operating 3 trains per day in 2020 and that two ferries with a capacity of 50 wagons serving on Lake Van have a significant effect on the increase in freight transportation. It was said that “Every measure will be taken for the target of increasing Turkey-Iran transports, which are in an increasing trend, to 1 million tons in 2021.”
It was also stated that it was decided to start scheduled freight train services between Turkey and Pakistan and the following were recorded:
“Freight trains to be operated on this route will be carried forward regularly, in a sustainable and fast manner. A tariff will be created for transportation and a common tariff union will be established for trains that will be operated mutually between Turkey-Iran-Pakistan.”
It was stated that the transportation will be started over the Iran-Afghanistan railway connection with Pakistan, and the railway connection between Iran and Afghanistan was completed and it was opened on 10 December 2020, and it was shared that it became possible for a wagon loaded in Turkey to transit Iran to Afghanistan.
The statement emphasized that the road map will be determined to start rail transport between Turkey and Afghanistan with the coming together of Turkey-Iran and Afghanistan railway administrations:
“A new corridor will be created through Iran for the potential of significant cargo in the opposite direction from China to Turkey and Europe. Cooperation will be made with the country’s railways on the route for the necessary infrastructure, competitive tariffs and appropriate transit times to transport cargo to China via Iran using the southern part of the Silk Road.”
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz