OREANDA-NEWS. July 28, 2010. A project of the ‘North-South’ transport corridor linking the European part of Russia with ports of the Persian Gulf seems to be taking shape.

Quite soon Russia and Iran may enjoy direct railway connection as a 4,500 km-long railway bridge is supposed to bring Saint Petersburg and Bandar-Abbas closer. The project is being supervised by the Russian Railways Company.

Mr. Fyodor Pekhterev, head of the GiprotransTEI, a subsidiary to the Russian Railways, told the VOR how negotiations on the supposed railway bridge were going on:

"For almost 10 years we have been negotiating a direct railway road between Russia and Iran with our Iranian and Azeri colleagues. We agreed that a part of land from Qazvin to Rasht would be constructed by Iran. Meanwhile, we have not decided who will be responsible for the construction of road from Rasht to Astara (in Iran) and further 170 km to Astara in Azerbaijan.

Currently we are considering a joint venture to deal with the project. The Russian Railways Company is interested in having direct access to Iran like it was in Soviet times."

Notably, trade cooperation with Russia in early 20th century boosted railway communication between the countries. The first railway line linked Tabriz and Djulfa, on the border with the Russian Empire. In 1939 the Trans-Iranian railway was launched to link the Caspian port of Torkaman with Shapur (now Bandar Khomeini), a port city on the Persian Gulf. During WW II this route was used to transport vital supplies to the Soviet Union.

Like it was 70 years ago, direct railway connection with Iran is very important for economic development. If the project is a success, the Russia-Iran railway will become a crucial transport corridor, thinks Russia’s Energy Minister, Sergey Shmatko:

"Geographically, Russia and Iran are neighbors, so if the North-South transport corridor is constructed, the two countries will gain new opportunities for long-term oil deliveries from Russia to Iran."

A deal on the construction of a land railway bridge between Russia and Iran is expected to be signed in autumn, during the visit of the Russian Railways`s chief, Vladimir Yakunin, to Tehran.