Russia hoping to use INSTC to evade sanctions, says think tank

According to the US-based think tank The Jamestown Foundation, Russia hopes to use the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a way to evade Western sanctions. The development of the corridor allows Russia to gain more open access to non-Western markets. Those could provide Russia with much-needed goods for its war economy. The INSTC is […]

Rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan grow by 28%

Rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan have grown by 28 per cent over an 11-month period. Between March 2023 and February 2024, approximately 645,000 tonnes of goods were transported via rail between the two countries. The director of Iran’s North Railway Administration stated that rail freight volumes between Iran and Azerbaijan grew by 28 […]

Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan create INSTC joint venture

Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan plan to create a joint venture for the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The plan aims to improve the delivery of transportation services, shorten cargo delivery times and streamline customs services. The INSTC is a transport corridor that connects Russia and Iran along the western and eastern coasts […]

Is INSTC’s Rasht-Astara line on track for another setback?

It is probably the most critical railway section of the International North-South Corridor (INSTC), and its construction has been planned for a few years, with several ups and downs along the way. The Rasht-Astara railway line is supposed to commence construction work in early 2024. Nevertheless, Russia and Iran, which are directly involved in the […]

Azerbaijan goes ahead with Zangezur Corridor railway construction

Azerbaijan is actively constructing a railway in the direction of the ‘Zangezur Corridor’. The railway is reportedly about halfway to completion. With the railway, Azerbaijan is looking to open up a free movement corridor through southern Armenia to connect with its exclave Nakhchivan. The new route could be part of the ‘Middle Corridor’ land route […]