Creation of the shortest direct route for delivery of Kazakhstan's export cargoes to the markets of the Persian Gulf, Middle East, Pakistan, India and the East African coast is an opportunity for Kazakhstan to launch a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Ports (part of AD Ports Group on behalf of Simatech Shipping & Forwarding). The prospects for its creation were discussed last week by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin and head of Simatech Shipping & Forwarding (part of ADP Group) Davoud Tafti.

The main objective is to deliver agricultural goods from Kazakhstan's Kuryk port to the Persian Gulf countries via the ports of Amirabad and Bandar Abbas (Iran). The new route can open unprecedented opportunities for Kazakh exporters: three days through Iran with access to Iranian ports of Amirabad, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khomeini, Chabahar, UAE ports Khalifa, Fujairah and further to all ports of India, Pakistan, the Far East, the east coast of Africa. At the same time, the possibility of delivery of goods to European countries is not excluded.

During the meeting the parties discussed options of cargo delivery routes along the Caspian Sea to the Islamic Republic of Iran with the possibility of further transit to the Persian Gulf countries. According to Davood Tafti, CEO of Simatech Shipping & Forwarding, the company has already purchased 4 vessels with the capacity of 7500 tons each. The vessels have a displacement of 6 meters and are capable of carrying bulk, containerized as well as general cargo. At the moment the vessels are located in Amirabad port (in the north of Behshar county, Iran). The company plans to deliver 10 such vessels over the next 2 years. In addition, the company has recently purchased 45 trucks and two barges capable of carrying 350 trucks each. The plans for the next 4 months are to increase the number of truck fleet to 200 units, and in the near future to 1000 units.

The base ports will be Kuryk (Kazakhstan) and Khalifa (UAE). These two ports will be linked by all necessary infrastructure and provided with machinery. The company also owns two dry ports for cargo consolidation and reconfiguration. All this together will give Kazakh exporters an unprecedented opportunity to cross Iran in 2-3 days.

Recall that in April 2023, during the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Iran, an agreement was signed on the development of transportation between the ports of Kuryk and Amirabad. As part of the implementation of the agreements reached, the construction of infrastructure for grain terminals is being completed in these ports.

Background: Simatech Shipping & Forwarding is a leading ship management company in the Persian Gulf. It has a large fleet and is engaged in shipping cargoes from Iran to Arab countries, India, Africa and China. The company also has a number of commercial ports and terminals in Arab countries.

#Economy #Export #International Cooperation #Serik Zhumangarin