Moscow - Russia’s Novo Development Centre (RF) and Iranian Eurasia Trading and Logistics have signed an agreement on the construction of a multimodal logistics hub for Russian grain exports, TASS reported citing information from the Russian company.

 

As it is specified, the facility is planned to be created on the territory of the Serakhs special economic zone in the north-east of Iran, through which the transit route from Central Asia and the Middle East passes.

 

‘The grain hub will be built using the best Russian experience in creating facilities for high-speed overland transshipment of grain cargoes with the solution of the problem of different gauge railway tracks of the two countries. Cargo turnover will be carried out within the framework of innovative logistics model ‘Grain Plus’, aimed at reducing to zero empty mileage by loading containers in both directions,’ the report says.

 

As it is planned, the hub will provide acceptance of Russian grain and grain cargoes from other friendly countries by all types of railway transport on the track 1520 mm, its storage and transshipment to road and railway transport for delivery to the Iranian market. Transit to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and the Persian Gulf countries is also envisaged. In addition, logistics for the return cargoes needed by Russia and CIS countries in specialized containers will be provided.

 

"The grain hub is not just about grain, but also about multimodal logistics and handling of third-party containerized cargo. The strategic plan provides for the output of more than 5 million tons of grain and 400 thousand containers,’ the report summarizes.