BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 29. Suez Canal problems increase the attractiveness of "North-South" and "East-West" international transport corridors, TRACECA's permanent representative in Azerbaijan, expert on transportation issues Rufat Bayramov told Trend.
"Due to problems with the security of cargo transportation through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, the attractiveness of alternative routes and transportation projects, including the "East-West" and "North-South" international transport corridors (ITC) passing through the territory of Azerbaijan, is growing," he said.
He noted that the EU and Asian countries, which previously actively used the route for cargo transit through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, are now studying the possibilities of diversifying transport flows.
"Objectively, the situation now is such that our region and international transportation corridors in it are becoming more relevant than ever, and I think that many cargo suppliers and their recipients will be even more active in interaction with the countries participating in the East-West and North-South projects," Bayramov said.
According to him, cargoes from India to Europe, bypassing the Red Sea, could be more directed through one of the segments of the "North-South" international transport corridor, whose implementation would allow for a 50 percent reduction in delivery time.
"All the necessary infrastructure is being created in Azerbaijan. Iran has also become active in the construction of the Rasht-Astara railroad (part of the North-South route) after receiving guarantees from the Russian Federation on financing this section and has already started specific work. I think that in the case of forced implementation of the North-South project, about 10 million tons of cargo can be transported through it per year, thus unloading the route through the Suez Canal," Bayramov stressed.
Pirate attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez, as well as the unsettled situation in the Middle East (in Gaza), have led to the fact that the Suez Canal, according to Flexport, has already lost 18 percent of global traffic (this week, almost 300 ships with a total capacity of 4.3 million containers did not use the canal).
"Iran is determined to develop the Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman as well, in which case the North-South ITC could become even more attractive. The main thing is the political will of all interested parties and prompt resolution of implementation issues," Bayramov added.
