Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran set competitive tariffs for North-South ITC

Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran have jointly prepared a memorandum to establish competitive through tariff rates on the western route of the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC), a key initiative aimed at enhancing international logistics and transportation efficiency.

Oleg Belozerov, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Russian Railways, announced the move during the 83rd meeting of the Council on Railway Transport of the CIS Member States, as per domestic media.

“Together with the Azerbaijani and Iranian railways, we have prepared a memorandum on the formation of competitive through rates on the western route of the North-South ITC. This is an important step for the development of international logistics and increasing the efficiency of transportation throughout the corridor,” Belozerov said.

He added that efforts to develop tariff structures, digital cooperation, and infrastructure along the North-South corridor will continue in collaboration with all interested CIS railway administrations.

“To increase transport volumes, including non-container cargo, a joint action plan is being implemented between Russian Railways and Azerbaijan Railways. This year, we signed agreements on electronic data exchange for transport documentation. This allows us to replace paper technologies with modern electronic waybills and other documents. Similar work has also begun with Iran,” Belozerov noted.

Regarding the eastern branch of the North-South ITC, which connects Russia and India via Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, Belozerov reported that a memorandum on bilateral electronic data exchange has already been signed. This memorandum covers the status and location of rolling stock through Turkmen-Iranian railway checkpoints.

“Freight traffic in this direction more than doubled in January–October,” he said, highlighting the success of these digital initiatives.

By Tamilla Hasanova