In October of the current year the Russian transport company “RZD Logistika” launched a first regular container train by the western branch of the international transport corridor “North – South” through Turkmenistan.
Currently, the train goes on the route once in a month, but the company plans to increase the number of regular container trains by ITC “North – South” 17 trains per month. This was reported to TASS by the trade representative of Russia in Turkmenistan, Alexander Yelizarov.
The first container train left Chekhov (Russia) on the territory of Kazakhstan to the Serahs station in Turkmenistan, where the containers were reloaded from a gauge of 1520 mm to a gauge of 1435 mm, and then sent through Iran to the port of Bandar Abbas, and then by sea to their destinations.
“This is a very promising route – it is cheaper, faster. The first train of the 31st container, together with the employees of JSC “RZD” and the company “RZD Logistics”, we solemnly met in Serahs on the border with Iran in early November of this year. The task has been set, and it will be completed – about 17 trains per month on a regular basis. Now we expect another line-up in December. But next year we will begin to realize the potential of 17 trains a month”, Yelizarov said.
As per his words, Russian shippers have already requested a large volume of cargo through Turkmenistan.
“In the medium term, we plan to bring it to 5 million tons, and in the long term, according to estimates of Russian and Turkmen experts, up to 25 million tons. Turkmenistan's transit potential is huge”, the trade representative said.
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