At the recent BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need to improve transportation links between the member countries. He believes that enhancing these connections can open up exciting new opportunities for trade among the nations.
During the summit, which took place from October 22 to 24, leaders from BRICS discussed ambitious projects to boost transport among their countries. These new transport megaprojects aim to tackle the challenges posed by ongoing global political changes.
What Are the New Routes?
One of the most important projects is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This corridor is a major part of the Eurasian Transport Network and combines various types of transportation—ships, trains, and trucks—into one efficient route. It stretches about 7,200 kilometers and connects Russian ports in the Baltic and Arctic seas with ports in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
The INSTC was first proposed in September 2000 by Russia, Iran, and India, and since then, several other countries have joined, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and even some European nations.
The corridor has three main routes:
- Western Route: This goes from Russia through Azerbaijan and into Iran.
- Central Route: This path connects Russian ports to the Caspian Sea and beyond.
- Eastern Route: This creates a direct train link from Russia through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Iran.
Compared to traditional shipping routes like the Suez Canal, which can take 45 to 60 days for cargo to travel, the INSTC is much faster. Cargo can move through this corridor in just 15 to 24 days!
In 2022, around 14.5 million tons of cargo were transported along the INSTC. By the end of 2023, experts predict this number will increase to 25 million tons annually.
The East-West Transport Corridor
In addition to the INSTC, the summit highlighted plans for an East-West transport corridor. This route aims to facilitate the export of goods from Russian ports to the borders of China, Mongolia, North Korea, and Kazakhstan. The backbone of this corridor is the Trans-Siberian Railway, which stretches about 10,000 kilometers.
Another exciting project is Mongolia’s Steppe Road, an initiative designed to create a 997-kilometer highway connecting Russia and China. This plan also includes expanding the existing Trans-Mongolian Railway, which links Russia to China.
Last year, President Putin instructed his government to develop proposals for creating a central Eurasian transport corridor through Mongolia and Western China. This route is already in place with the Trans-Mongolia Railway, which runs from Russia through Mongolia to Beijing.
A Bright Future for BRICS Trade
As BRICS countries work together to build these new transportation routes, they are opening up a world of possibilities for trade and cooperation. The initiatives discussed at the summit promise to strengthen ties among member nations and enhance their positions in the global market. With these ambitious projects, the future of trade in the BRICS region looks brighter than ever!
