Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 28 /Trend, T.Jafarov/
The head of Iran's Gilan province Ruhulla Gahramani Chabuk has told Trend that Iran's largest northern port at Anzali currently has a transshipment capacity of 7 million tons but the government has prepared a project for its further development.
"I hope that over the next two years, the transshipment capacity of the port will increase to 11 million tons. Currently a railway is being constructed in the port as a supporting infrastructure. It will be commissioned in 2012. With the realization of the railroad construction, the Anzali Port will become the most developed sea port in Iran, connecting it with Central Asia and Russia," said Chabuk.
He said the construction of a new private port near the Iranian town of Astara has also started. This port will also carry out the transshipment of dry cargo, oil and oil products. The construction of the railway also started here in order to develop this port.
Iran also continues to build a Caspian Port on the Caspian Sea to the east of Anzali Port, he said.
According to him, one of the key issues of cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan, and Iran and Russia, is the opening of maritime passenger routes between Anzali and Baku, and Anzali and Astrakhan. Discussion of these projects is ongoing between all parties.
Opening the passenger route between the three countries would greatly contribute to the development of tourism. Work is currently being conducted in this regard, and this route will soon be opened, said Chabuk.