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By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) — Malaysia, along with other nations in the Global South and the Islamic world, could benefit significantly from the expansion of the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC).
This series of large-scale infrastructure and policy initiatives is expected to reshape freight logistics across Eurasia beginning in 2025.
The development comes as Russia prepares to launch a comprehensive five-year national project titled “Efficient Transport System”, aimed at increasing the speed, volume, and reliability of freight movement both within its borders and internationally.
The project is expected to usher in a seamless Eurasian transport network with improved infrastructure capacity and logistical connectivity, directly impacting trade links from Europe to South and Southeast Asia.
The initiative focuses on upgrading key components of international transport corridors, particularly the North-South ITC.
Central to this plan is the expansion of seaport networks and inland waterways, along with the modernisation of border infrastructure.
The upgrades are intended to reduce freight inspection times to as little as 10 minutes and increase overall traffic capacity by 1.5 times. Russia’s railway could rise from 173 million tonnes to 210 million tonnes by 2030, and to 270 million tonnes by 2032.
These details were provided in a press release issued by the external press service of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” 2025.
The release, made available to Bernama International News Service, reveals how Malaysia and other Global South nations stand to benefit from the transformative North-South International Transport Corridor reshaping trade across Eurasia.
Completion of Resht-Astara Railway to Boost Western Route
A critical development is the long-anticipated construction of the Resht-Astara railway section, which will complete a vital missing link in the corridor’s western branch running around the Caspian Sea.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the project will be supported through a Russian export credit, following discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in February 2025.
The rail connection will link Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, streamlining freight movement from Northern Europe to the Persian Gulf and South Asia, and full operations are expected by 2028.
In parallel, Azerbaijan ratified a new intergovernmental agreement with Russia to boost transit freight cooperation.
Discussions are also underway for a new railway between Imishli in Azerbaijan and Parsabad in Iran, which could serve as an alternative to the Resht-Astara line.
The proposed link could handle up to 30 million tonnes of cargo by 2030, including grain, metals, fertilisers, coal, and petrochemical products.
A single digital platform is being developed to manage logistics operations, with Russia actively participating.
Efforts to boost the eastern route of the corridor have gained traction. In January 2025, national railway representatives from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Iran met to discuss new favourable tariff structures.
This follows the 2024 signing of a roadmap to synchronise infrastructure development. The eastern route’s capacity is set to grow from 10 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes by 2027, and to 20 million tonnes by 2030.
Another key priority is the integration of the North-South ITC with the Trans-Afghan Corridor through new rail links.
This will allow cargo from Russia and other CIS countries to pass through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, reaching ports in Pakistan and further extending to Southeast Asia.
The new routes will complement China’s trade pathways with Europe and South Asia, enhancing regional logistics networks.
Corridor Cuts Delivery Times, Costs Across Eurasia
The North-South ITC spans approximately 7,200 kilometres and connects Russia’s Baltic Sea ports to India’s Persian Gulf terminals.
It comprises three main routes: the trans-Caspian, the western corridor through Azerbaijan, and the eastern corridor via Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
According to experts at the KazanForum 2024, the corridor offers a significant competitive edge in speed and cost.
Freight delivery from St. Petersburg to Mumbai could take just 10 to 20 days, down from the current 30 to 45 days via traditional sea routes.
Transportation costs may also drop by 30 to 40 per cent.
As the corridor enters an active phase of expansion, it is expected to attract more participation from South Asia and the Persian Gulf.
For countries like Malaysia, these developments open opportunities to integrate into faster and more cost-efficient trade networks linking Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia.
Spotlight on KazanForum 2025
The upcoming XVI International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” 2025, scheduled for May 13–18 in Kazan, Russia, will serve as a pivotal platform to shape the future of the North-South Corridor.
The Forum has been granted federal status since 2023.
It is among the most prominent international events in Russia, serving as a key venue for business interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
KazanForum aims to enhance trade, scientific, educational, and cultural ties between Russian regions and the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Key themes for 2025 include international cooperation, business, Islamic finance, halal industry, logistics, IT, construction, medicine, education, and tourism.
A ministerial meeting and the signing of a new agreement on the North-South ITC will be highlights of the forum.
A conference on transport logistics among participating nations is also on the agenda.
As the North-South Corridor strengthens its role as a key axis of global freight, Malaysia and other emerging economies may find new avenues for trade and strategic cooperation through deeper engagement with this rapidly evolving transport network.
— BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
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By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) — Malaysia, along with other nations in the Global South and the Islamic world, could benefit significantly from the expansion of the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC).
This series of large-scale infrastructure and policy initiatives is expected to reshape freight logistics across Eurasia beginning in 2025.
The development comes as Russia prepares to launch a comprehensive five-year national project titled “Efficient Transport System”, aimed at increasing the speed, volume, and reliability of freight movement both within its borders and internationally.
The project is expected to usher in a seamless Eurasian transport network with improved infrastructure capacity and logistical connectivity, directly impacting trade links from Europe to South and Southeast Asia.
The initiative focuses on upgrading key components of international transport corridors, particularly the North-South ITC.
Central to this plan is the expansion of seaport networks and inland waterways, along with the modernisation of border infrastructure.
The upgrades are intended to reduce freight inspection times to as little as 10 minutes and increase overall traffic capacity by 1.5 times. Russia’s railway could rise from 173 million tonnes to 210 million tonnes by 2030, and to 270 million tonnes by 2032.
These details were provided in a press release issued by the external press service of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” 2025.
The release, made available to Bernama International News Service, reveals how Malaysia and other Global South nations stand to benefit from the transformative North-South International Transport Corridor reshaping trade across Eurasia.
Completion of Resht-Astara Railway to Boost Western Route
A critical development is the long-anticipated construction of the Resht-Astara railway section, which will complete a vital missing link in the corridor’s western branch running around the Caspian Sea.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the project will be supported through a Russian export credit, following discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in February 2025.
The rail connection will link Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, streamlining freight movement from Northern Europe to the Persian Gulf and South Asia, and full operations are expected by 2028.
In parallel, Azerbaijan ratified a new intergovernmental agreement with Russia to boost transit freight cooperation.
Discussions are also underway for a new railway between Imishli in Azerbaijan and Parsabad in Iran, which could serve as an alternative to the Resht-Astara line.
The proposed link could handle up to 30 million tonnes of cargo by 2030, including grain, metals, fertilisers, coal, and petrochemical products.
A single digital platform is being developed to manage logistics operations, with Russia actively participating.
Efforts to boost the eastern route of the corridor have gained traction. In January 2025, national railway representatives from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Iran met to discuss new favourable tariff structures.
This follows the 2024 signing of a roadmap to synchronise infrastructure development. The eastern route’s capacity is set to grow from 10 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes by 2027, and to 20 million tonnes by 2030.
Another key priority is the integration of the North-South ITC with the Trans-Afghan Corridor through new rail links.
This will allow cargo from Russia and other CIS countries to pass through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, reaching ports in Pakistan and further extending to Southeast Asia.
The new routes will complement China’s trade pathways with Europe and South Asia, enhancing regional logistics networks.
Corridor Cuts Delivery Times, Costs Across Eurasia
The North-South ITC spans approximately 7,200 kilometres and connects Russia’s Baltic Sea ports to India’s Persian Gulf terminals.
It comprises three main routes: the trans-Caspian, the western corridor through Azerbaijan, and the eastern corridor via Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
According to experts at the KazanForum 2024, the corridor offers a significant competitive edge in speed and cost.
Freight delivery from St. Petersburg to Mumbai could take just 10 to 20 days, down from the current 30 to 45 days via traditional sea routes.
Transportation costs may also drop by 30 to 40 per cent.
As the corridor enters an active phase of expansion, it is expected to attract more participation from South Asia and the Persian Gulf.
For countries like Malaysia, these developments open opportunities to integrate into faster and more cost-efficient trade networks linking Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia.
Spotlight on KazanForum 2025
The upcoming XVI International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” 2025, scheduled for May 13–18 in Kazan, Russia, will serve as a pivotal platform to shape the future of the North-South Corridor.
The Forum has been granted federal status since 2023.
It is among the most prominent international events in Russia, serving as a key venue for business interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
KazanForum aims to enhance trade, scientific, educational, and cultural ties between Russian regions and the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Key themes for 2025 include international cooperation, business, Islamic finance, halal industry, logistics, IT, construction, medicine, education, and tourism.
A ministerial meeting and the signing of a new agreement on the North-South ITC will be highlights of the forum.
A conference on transport logistics among participating nations is also on the agenda.
As the North-South Corridor strengthens its role as a key axis of global freight, Malaysia and other emerging economies may find new avenues for trade and strategic cooperation through deeper engagement with this rapidly evolving transport network.
— BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
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