RAI plans transit capacity boost with Turkey, eyes $30b trade target
Iran's railway chief said the country is working to raise annual transit rail capacity to Turkey to 15 million tons in coming years, as part of efforts to develop foreign trade and achieve a $30 billion annual trade volume with its neighbor.
"We are working to increase the transit rail capacity to Turkey to 15 million tons annually in the coming years," said Jabbar Ali Zakeri, managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI). "Our target is to create the necessary infrastructure for developing foreign trade, particularly achieving $30 billion in annual trade with Turkey."
Zakeri also told reporters that the current transit rail capacity to Turkey has doubled compared to last year, stopping short of providing any numerical details.
According to IRNA, connecting the Marand rail line in Iran's East Azarbaijan Province, in the country's northwest, to Cheshm-e Soraya ranks among Iran Railways' most significant national projects. The route is positioned to become the most economical and secure corridor for cargo transfers between China and Europe in both directions.
Cheshm-e Soraya is a border station on the Iran-Turkey frontier, with the planned Marand-Cheshmeh Soraya railway transit line extending approximately 200 kilometers from Marand in northwestern Iran toward Turkey's Aralik border region in Igdir Province.
The location, named after the Cheshmeh Soraya River, sits at a strategic junction intended to link Iran's rail network with Turkey's, creating an uninterrupted passage for China-Europe freight via Iranian territory.
Phase-one studies for the national project have been completed, Zakeri said, adding that executive operations are set to begin within the next two months. Studies for subsequent phases are also underway.