In a decade when global trade has faced unprecedented geopolitical, security, and logistical bottlenecks, the North–South International Corridor has emerged as one of the most important alternative transport routes, gaining a new position in the global political economy. The corridor is an integrated network of rail, road, and maritime transport connecting Russia and Northern Europe through Iran to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, India, and South Asia.

According to the data presented in the chart, the corridor’s total length is about 7,000 km—over 16,000 km shorter than the traditional Suez Canal route. This difference in distance alone plays a decisive role in reducing transport time and cost. Estimates indicate that transit from Northern Europe to India drops from 35–45 days via the Suez route to roughly 20–25 days along the North–South Corridor—a modern trade advantage equivalent to lower risk, greater supply chain agility, and enhanced competitiveness.

Economically, the corridor can cut transit costs by 25–40%. Such savings—particularly amid rising energy and insurance costs and geopolitical uncertainties—make the North–South Corridor an attractive option for major global trade players. Its current capacity is estimated at 30–40 million tons per year, with potential expansion to 60 million tons as rail and port infrastructure is completed.

Iran holds a central and irreplaceable role in this network. Serving as the bridge between Eurasia and open waters, Iran can leverage its geopolitical advantage to become a regional logistics hub. The corridor’s passage through Iranian territory not only generates transit revenue but also creates opportunities in employment, infrastructure development, economic diplomacy, and the country’s geopolitical influence.

Ultimately, the North–South Corridor is more than a transport project; it is a strategic response to today’s bottlenecked world. In a global environment where shorter, safer, and cheaper routes are no longer just advantages but prerequisites for economic survival, this corridor represents a critical lifeline.