Two loaded containers carrying factory line components were transported successfully from India’s Mumbai to Iran’s Chabahar Port, which exited through Dogharoun Border crossing to Afghanistan, making it the first intermodal transport in the India-Iran-Afghanistan route under the United Nations ‘Transports Internationaux Routiers’ (TIR) convention.
According to Mostafa Ayati, an official with the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), the corridor had been launched from Afghanistan to Chabahar and then to India, but this was the first TIR Carnets transport operation from India to Afghanistan via Chabahar.
Reportedly, the first shipment under TIR from Afghanistan to India through Iran’s Chabahar Port arrived at the port of Nhava Sheva, Mumbai and Mundra Port in Gujarat on March 2019.
Recognising the importance of opening of new corridors given the current circumstances resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General at IRU said, “The facilitation of new, faster and more secure routes ensures that the goods keep getting to the people who need them. This first intermodal TIR transport from India along the Chabahar corridor is an exciting development in the region and goes to demonstrate the wider potential of intermodal TIR for shippers and transport operators around the world.”
This first TIR transport operation is based on the Chabahar transit agreement signed between India and Iran, and represents the initial step towards the full activation of the India-Iran-Afghanistan route.
Shippers in the region and beyond can now benefit from reduced sea and land transport times, with Afghan goods set to arrive safely and securely at their destination up to 20% faster.
The Chabahar port, jointly developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan — is considered a gateway to opportunities for trade by the three countries with central Asian nations. In addition, Chabahar is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.
