Iran to connect Caspian Sea to Persian Gulf via rail

The Rasht-Caspian Railway Project in Gilan Province is to be inaugurated within two months. Upon operation of this rail project which is part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Persian Gulf will be connected to the Caspian Sea via rail. 

Completing the Qazvin-Rasht rail route, the 37-kilometer Rasht-Caspian Railway connects the city of Rasht to the Caspian Sea.

Located in the northern part of Iran, the primary purpose of the Rasht-Caspian Railway is to enhance connectivity to facilitate transportation and trade links between Iran and the Caspian Sea region northward and to the railway network southward. It provides a more efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation for freight and passengers.  

The Rasht-Caspian Railway, once operational, is expected to provide several benefits:

The railway has the potential to significantly boost the regional economy by facilitating trade, stimulating investments, and creating job opportunities. It can also act as a catalyst for the development of transit activities in the north of Iran as the project connects to the Anzali Free Zone. 

The railway will provide a cost-effective transportation option for goods, enabling easier movement of freight and enhancing regional trade.

As far as the international trade route is concerned, the Rasht-Caspian Railway is expected to play a crucial role in connecting Iran with neighboring countries and international trade routes. It can provide a direct link for trade with the landlocked countries of Central Asia and potentially enhance Iran's trade relations with Russia and other Caspian Sea countries. The railway will play a vital role in promoting regional integration and cooperation among neighboring countries. 

Railways are generally considered more environmentally friendly compared to other modes of transportation like road or air. The Rasht-Caspian Railway could potentially reduce carbon emissions and contribute to sustainability by providing an alternative to road transport.

Noteworthy, the project has been financed by domestic resources and eases multimodal transport in Iran's territory. 

Previously in May 2023, Kheirollah Khademi, Iran Deputy Minister and CEO of the Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company informed about the upcoming inauguration of the Rasht-Caspian Railway during a site visit.