Russia Forecasts Cargo Turnover Along North–South Corridor to Reach 30 Million Tonnes
Russia Forecasts Cargo Turnover Along North–South Corridor to Reach 30 Million Tonnes
14 May
At the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, participants discussed Caspian cooperation and Russia’s role in the development of Islamic initiatives. Activity on the international North–South route from Iran has grown significantly, and today it has simply gone through the roof, noted Dmitry Dubovik, Director General of the Caspian International Integration Club “North–South”. Russia is becoming a strategically important partner for this country.
“Today we are beginning to think about those export supplies from Russia that we dreamed of for decades. We wanted them, but we were held back for various reasons. Now everything has turned towards normal relations,” said Dubovik.
In Russia, great hopes are placed on cargo turnover across the Caspian Sea, with expectations that it will double, said Alexander Sharyov, Director General of RusIranExpo. A slight increase is forecast on the eastern branch from China, while the western branch will maintain its volume.
“The Iranian side always wants to sell something, to export. Now they have started requesting chemical products from Russia: polymers, rolled metal products and coal, and of course grain and oil. So I think that this year trade turnover with Iran could double. And, of course, supplies going through Iran to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan are promising and will increase significantly,” said Sharyov.
Ramazan Abdulatipov, Chairman of the International Integration Club “North–South”, described the events taking place in the Middle East, around Iran, the Persian Gulf, Russia and China as elements of a clash of civilisations. Russia needs to integrate into trade processes, and this is something that regions should do first and foremost.
“As for Tatarstan, it is taking part in certain programmes. Very few of a number of regions – from the Caspian to Kazan and further on to Moscow – are getting involved in these processes. I think the current situation is not very favourable, but at the same time, if we think about prospects, they can be grasped,” explained Abdulatipov.
There are prospects not only for Russia but also for neighbouring countries. The North–South corridor is being considered by many states today, said Gennady Bessonov, Chairman of the Coordination Transport Meeting of the CIS Member States. Besides this corridor, there are others that are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States system.
“Kyrgyzstan, for example, until recently was a landlocked country. Today, the China–Kyrgyzstan railway is being built. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan can reach the Caspian. So all countries within the CIS perimeter, as well as neighbouring countries, will always be interested in this corridor,” noted Bessonov.
Marat Zembatov, Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research at the Institute of Public Administration and Governance of the Higher School of Economics, reported that Russia has built cooperation with many countries and concluded various treaties and agreements. However, to achieve success, expert analytical support is necessary.
“Significant growth can be expected in the next five years. There is a very optimistic forecast for the North–South corridor, but it was made in the pre-conflict period. The forecast amounted to nearly 100 million tonnes per year. Clearly, today we are very far from that quantitative target. The optimistic estimate closest to reality is 30 million tonnes by 2032-2033,” said Zembatov.
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The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
“Today we are beginning to think about those export supplies from Russia that we dreamed of for decades. We wanted them, but we were held back for various reasons. Now everything has turned towards normal relations,” said Dubovik.
In Russia, great hopes are placed on cargo turnover across the Caspian Sea, with expectations that it will double, said Alexander Sharyov, Director General of RusIranExpo. A slight increase is forecast on the eastern branch from China, while the western branch will maintain its volume.
“The Iranian side always wants to sell something, to export. Now they have started requesting chemical products from Russia: polymers, rolled metal products and coal, and of course grain and oil. So I think that this year trade turnover with Iran could double. And, of course, supplies going through Iran to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan are promising and will increase significantly,” said Sharyov.
Ramazan Abdulatipov, Chairman of the International Integration Club “North–South”, described the events taking place in the Middle East, around Iran, the Persian Gulf, Russia and China as elements of a clash of civilisations. Russia needs to integrate into trade processes, and this is something that regions should do first and foremost.
“As for Tatarstan, it is taking part in certain programmes. Very few of a number of regions – from the Caspian to Kazan and further on to Moscow – are getting involved in these processes. I think the current situation is not very favourable, but at the same time, if we think about prospects, they can be grasped,” explained Abdulatipov.
There are prospects not only for Russia but also for neighbouring countries. The North–South corridor is being considered by many states today, said Gennady Bessonov, Chairman of the Coordination Transport Meeting of the CIS Member States. Besides this corridor, there are others that are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States system.
“Kyrgyzstan, for example, until recently was a landlocked country. Today, the China–Kyrgyzstan railway is being built. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan can reach the Caspian. So all countries within the CIS perimeter, as well as neighbouring countries, will always be interested in this corridor,” noted Bessonov.
Marat Zembatov, Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research at the Institute of Public Administration and Governance of the Higher School of Economics, reported that Russia has built cooperation with many countries and concluded various treaties and agreements. However, to achieve success, expert analytical support is necessary.
“Significant growth can be expected in the next five years. There is a very optimistic forecast for the North–South corridor, but it was made in the pre-conflict period. The forecast amounted to nearly 100 million tonnes per year. Clearly, today we are very far from that quantitative target. The optimistic estimate closest to reality is 30 million tonnes by 2032-2033,” said Zembatov.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
