RAI sets target for transporting 54m tons of cargo by year-end
The managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) announced plans to transport 54 million tons of cargo via the rail network by the end of the Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2025).
Speaking at the 35th Regional Assembly Meeting of Middle East Railways (UIC RAME), Jabar Ali Zakeri stated, “Approximately eight million tons of this volume is allocated to export, import, and transit cargoes,” as reported by IRNA.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways hosted the 35th Regional Assembly Meeting, attended by the managing directors of railways from Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iraq along with accompanying delegations.
The deputy minister of roads and urban development said, “Given Iran’s rail network connectivity to Central Asia, Russia, and China, as well as its connection to the European network via Turkey, Iran holds a favorable position for rail transit and international freight transport along East-West and North-South corridors.”
Zakeri, noting that active railway diplomacy is on Iran’s agenda, continued, “Cooperation with Iraq on constructing the Shalamcheh-Basra railway line, agreements with Turkey to build a new rail route from the Cheshmeh Soraya (Soraya Spring) – located at the zero border point between Iran and Turkey, and increased cargo transit from Afghanistan toward Turkey are among the measures taken in this regard.”
The RAI chief emphasized, “In line with the new approach and policies of the railway, strong connections exist with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan for freight transport along the western branch of the North-South Corridor.”
The official, highlighting the railway’s activities in promoting training and updating rail industry personnel’s knowledge, stressed, “We welcome international educational activities.”
François Davenne, executive director of the International Union of Railways (UIC), Bertrand Minari, Middle East regional coordinator, and several other UIC members attended the assembly via video conference.
The attendees thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways for hosting the 35th Regional Assembly Meeting of Middle East Railways and expressed their views for enhanced interaction and cooperation among railways.