Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Sign New Rail Cooperation Pact

Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan signed a new rail cooperation deal aimed at optimizing rail capacities among the three countries and increasing international rail transport volumes, ILNA reported.

The agreement, titled “Procedures for the Movement, Registration, and Auditing of Iranian Wagons” in Turkmen and Uzbek territories, was signed in the presence of Jabbar Ali Zakeri, CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, Silap Norberdiev, Deputy Minister of Rail Transport of Turkmenistan, and Zaufer Nerzulayev, Chairman of Uzbekistan Railways.

Under the terms of the framework, the parties emphasized conducting international freight transport based on existing rail cargo agreements and reached consensus on several key issues. The agreement covers the operation of Iranian wagons with different technical specifications — including covered wagons, tankers, grain wagons, and container wagons — in the territories of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

It also establishes regulations for wagons and bogies with a track gauge of 1,520 millimeters, whether state-owned or private. A notable provision allows Iranian wagons and bogies manufactured in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries to operate in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, provided periodic maintenance is observed and written approval is obtained from the host countries. This facilitates the transport of packaged, bulk, and liquid cargo in tanks.

The framework further details the handling of cargo carried by Iranian wagons to domestic destinations within Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the transit of goods through their territories, including transshipment to local wagons.

The agreement is described as a significant step toward strengthening regional rail connectivity and boosting cross-border trade in Central Asia. - Iran Daily