PMO News Portal - Iran and Russia will hold a joint session at the Russian port of Makhachkala within the next two months to finalize the launch of a bilateral maritime transport consortium. The decision was reached during a phone call between Saeed Rasouli, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Head of the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), and Dmitry Azarov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport.
The planned meeting will bring together senior officials from both countries’ maritime administrations, as well as representatives from the private sector and Russia’s Federal Sea and River Transport Agency.
Strengthening Caspian Shipping Routes
The agreement builds on the Joint Action Plan for Transport Cooperation between Iran and the Russian Federation, signed on 18 February 2025 in Tehran. It also reflects commitments made during the latest Iran-Russia Joint Commission meeting held recently in Moscow.
Rasouli emphasized the importance of enhancing multimodal transport via the Caspian Sea, particularly for container shipping through northern Iranian and Russian ports. He said Tehran and Moscow are working to activate all available routes along the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Private Sector Role and Operational Focus
Rasouli called for immediate steps to activate the Iran-Russia maritime consortium with full engagement from private companies. He stressed that harmonizing port tariffs, streamlining customs procedures, and facilitating cargo transit across the Caspian will require closer operational coordination and joint efforts.
He noted that Iran’s PMO is fully prepared to help develop a detailed maritime roadmap and implement the Joint Action Plan, highlighting the strategic role of non-state actors in unlocking the corridor’s logistics potential.
Russia Supports Joint Initiatives
Deputy Minister Azarov welcomed Iran’s proposals and confirmed Russia’s readiness to address key challenges, including vessel scheduling and the handling of sensitive and perishable cargoes.
He underlined the Russian Transport Ministry’s commitment to reaching a comprehensive agreement with Iran across all maritime and port-related domains.