The train, consisting of 62 forty-foot containers carrying paper, pulp, and related products bound for Iran and Iraq, began its journey 900 kilometers north of Moscow.

It passed through Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, entered Iran via the Incheboron border crossing, and reached Aprin dry port in 12 days.

The establishment of such a large-scale freight train required extensive coordination among railway authorities along the route, customs offices, rail forwarders, and cargo owners.

Officials hailed the development as a significant achievement for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), enhancing Iran’s role in regional logistics and transit.

Morteza Jafari, deputy for commerce and operations at the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, told IRNA on Saturday on the sidelines of the event that since June this year, when the first train from China arrived at Aprin dry port, 30 trains have reached the facility.

He added that efforts are underway to expand the operations, noting that for countries without direct rail access to Iran, cargo will be delivered by truck.

“Through coordination with other regional and CIS countries, we are working to make Iran a hub for exports, imports, and transit among neighboring states,” Jafari said.