Iran Expands Rail Export Routes to China and Turkey

WANA (Oct 29) – Iran has dispatched its first container export train from Qom to China, while 460 tons of sodium chlorate were transported by rail from Semnan to Turkey. The two shipments highlight Iran’s railway capacity to expand export routes and diversify foreign trade corridors.

Qom’s First Export Train to China

Iran’s first container export train from Qom Province was dispatched to China under the order of Akbar Behnamjoo, the provincial governor. The initiative aims to develop rail transportation, facilitate exports of locally manufactured products, and establish new routes to help provincial exporters access foreign markets.

Mohammad Manan-Raeisi, a member of Iran’s Parliament representing Qom, and a number of provincial officials also attended the train’s dispatch ceremony.

460 Tons of Sodium Chlorate Shipped from Semnan to Turkey

Meanwhile, Alireza Rezaei, Director General of the North-East Railway, announced the dispatch of the first export shipment from a railway branch serving the Semnan Industrial Town to Turkey.

The shipment consisted of five railcars carrying a total of 460 tons of sodium chlorate produced by the Kloran Company. The cargo was transported to Turkey through the railway network after completing customs and transit procedures.

According to Rezaei, transporting the shipment by train could replace the movement of approximately 20 to 30 trucks.

The one-kilometer railway branch serving Kloran Company and the seven-kilometer rail line serving Nab-Daneh Company were also established to connect industrial production units directly to the railway network.

Rail Freight Between Iran and China Increases

According to published reports, rail freight transportation from China to Iran has increased approximately tenfold following the imposition of maritime restrictions.

Before the war, a Chinese train entered Iran through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan every three to four days. The frequency has since increased to one train per day. Zohourian, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s Presiding Board, attributed the increase partly to the activation of three railway routes.

Iran’s multiple land borders and railway connections with neighboring countries provide opportunities to expand rail transportation in regional trade.

Expanding export routes to China and Turkey could provide additional options for transporting goods, particularly as restrictions and risks affecting maritime transportation increase the importance of land and rail corridors.