A Turkey–Turkmenistan transit freight train carrying MDF panels and timber products symbolically continued its journey through APRIN Dry Port in Iran during the 13th ECO Ministers of Transport Meeting.
According to the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development News Portal, the symbolic passage took place during the opening day of the ministerial meeting held in Tehran. The train passed through APRIN Station, which serves as Iran’s principal inland dry port and a strategic node within regional transport networks.
The movement of the train underscored the continued operation and growing importance of transport corridors across the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region, highlighting the role of rail transport in facilitating regional trade and connectivity.
Transit trains originating from Türkiye and Azerbaijan are currently operating through Iran toward destinations including Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and other ECO member countries, further strengthening regional logistics integration.
Iran currently maintains rail connections with neighboring countries through five border crossings, linking its railway network with countries in the Caspian region, including Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, as well as with Türkiye through the Salmas border crossing.
In addition, construction is underway on the Marand–Cheshmeh Soraya–Kars Railway, a strategic project that, once completed, will create a direct rail link connecting Iran and China to Europe, significantly enhancing East–West trade flows.
Further expansion of Iran’s regional rail connectivity is also progressing in the south through the construction of the Shalamcheh–Basra Railway, while in the east, rail connections with Pakistan via the Mirjaveh border crossing and with Afghanistan through the Shamtigh border crossing are already operational.
These developments reinforce Iran’s position as a strategic transportation hub linking the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe, while strengthening the role of APRIN as a key logistics gateway within international rail corridors.
Source: Mrud News
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