TEHRAN, Iran, Dec.15
Trend:
Iran's cargo shipment via Astara port would reduce costs and accelerate export to Caspian Sea countries, said the Managing Director of Khazar Shipping Company.
"The regular container shipment line has been launched three months ago that weekly transport cargo from Astara port in Iran to Aktau port in Kazakhstan and one shipment line would transport goods to Russia, it is expected that another container shipment line would be launched to transfer goods to Azerbaijan," Davood Tafti told Trend in an interview.
"We are seeking to familiarize customers in Azerbaijan about transporting containers via shipping lines. Iran exports commodities such as petrochemical, constructional material, and glass via trucks to Azerbaijan and expected to replace this method by container shipment," he said.
Tafti went on to say that although there are two normal shipping lines from Iran to Azerbaijan that transport cargo by ship once a week to Baku and Hovsan, expectations are that in coming days a container shipment line would be launched to these two ports.
"Iran has previously launched a container shipping line but it would inaugurate a new refrigerator container shipping line in Astrakhan and Makhachkala ports of Russia. Astrakhan port in Russia mostly has freezing cold winters therefore due to sea limitations there could be delays in delivery so Iran has offered its customers to transport cargos that could expire soon by container and unload cargo in Makhachkala port," he noted.
"The distance between Astrakhan and Makhachkala ports is two and a half days, the distance between Astara and Astrakhan ports is 3 and half days if there is no ice on the ship's route and then adding Makhachkala port to the shipment route would reduce time," he added.
According to Tafti, the following shipping line would affect the region's market. The tariff set by Azerbaijan for truck entry has increased 70 percent in the current Iranian year (started March 20, 2020) compare to last Iranian year (started March 21, 2021) and the shipping line would be an advantage.
"The launch of container shipping line would create the opportunity for secure cargo shipment with good quality and fast delivery to Russia. Azerbaijan has reduced truck cargo transportation by the launch of the alternate shipping line and currently, drivers of Russian and Azerbaijani trucks reduced cargo transportation fare from Iran's border to Russia up to $1,000," he said.
"The truck drivers that transited cargo from Iran to Russia have stopped at borders due to coronavirus pandemic. About 90 percent of foreign refrigerated trucks have stopped transporting goods from the border and Iran could reduce spending more foreign currency by launching shipment line," Tafti pointed out.