Projects of Russia and Iran in Caspian Sea might greatly change transport logistics in region

Recently, much attention is paid to the creation of the Astrakhan
transport hub, which is seen by many as the future of the Northern
Caspian Sea port. Stanislav Fedulov, the deputy minister of Industry,
Transport and Natural Resources of the Astrakhan region, noted that the
decision to move cargo operations outside the city of Astrakhan lies
within the concept of city development.

Although the final move of the main pressure from the port of
Astrakhan is not resolved, the port of Olya is expected to become the
primary trans-shipment area in the lower reaches of the Volga and
Northern Caspian Sea.

The port of Olya will facilitate the creation of a special economic
production zone in the Astrakhan region. Stanislav Fedulov noted that
the creation of the zone became possible due to the adoption of the
Federal Law "On amending certain legislative acts of the Russian
Federation in connection with the implementation of measures of
state support for shipbuilding and navigation."

The development of the port of Olya is of special significance in
light of Iran's recently-announced plans to construct a shipping
channel to connect the Caspian Sea with the Persian
Gulf. As reported previously by VK, Iran plans to construct a
transcontinental channel, about 600 kilometers long with a stretch of
nearly 350 kilometers along the fairways of the Kyzyluze River
flowing into the Caspian Sea, and the Kerhe River flowing into the Persian Gulf.

The project is aimed at connecting the North Atlantics with the Indian Ocean via the shortest route. Its creation might decrease the strategic importance of the Black Sea and Aegean channels as well as of the Suez Canal.