Putin: Shipments Along the North-South Corridor Have Increased by 10% Since the Beginning of the Year
Shipping along the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC) increased by 10% in the first five months of 2026. This was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Omsk, according to TASS.
The Russian leader noted that cargo traffic along this route is showing steady growth. Russia and Kazakhstan are actively cooperating in developing the corridor, with its eastern branch playing a key role. It connects Russian ports on the Black and Baltic Seas, in the Arctic, as well as the industrial regions of Siberia and central Russia via Kazakhstan with Turkmenistan and Iran.
The eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor is of fundamental importance for Turkmenistan. The country serves as an indispensable link at the Eurasian transport crossroads: the main overland flows to the Persian Gulf and the markets of South Asia pass through Turkmen territory and the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway.
Ashgabat is systematically modernizing its border and port infrastructure, implementing end-to-end logistics services, and negotiating flexible tariffs with its regional partners. Growing freight traffic along the eastern route confirms Turkmenistan's status as a reliable international logistics hub, ensuring seamless freight transit between East and West, North and South.
