Pakistan-Russia freight train to launch trials in March 2025

KARACHI: A new international freight train service between Pakistan and Russia – designed to enhance regional trade with Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia – is slated to begin trial operations on March 15, 2025.

The Pakistan Railway Freight Transportation Company (PRFTC), a subsidiary of Pakistan Railways, is spearheading the project and has contacted the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to secure commitments for containerized cargo for the trial run.

The freight service will depart from Qasim International Container Terminal and Pakistan International Container Terminal, offering container capacity options of 22 tonnes (T.E.U) and 44 tonnes (F.E.U).

PRFTC, acting as the main point of contact for the freight train’s cargo operations, has asked the FPCCI to coordinate with businesses to provide information about available containerized cargo for export to ensure the smooth execution of the service.

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Officials involved with the project have highlighted the rail link’s significance in advancing regional trade infrastructure. The Taftan station in Pakistan will be the primary entry point for goods traveling along this international route, with logistical issues concerning the deployment of customs officials at Taftan nearly resolved.

The new rail service is anticipated to significantly alter trade patterns in the region, fostering the exchange of diverse commodities between Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Russia will gain the ability to directly export commodities such as oil, natural gas, steel, and industrial goods to Pakistan and the Pakistani exporters will benefit from improved access to the Iranian, Turkmen, Kazakh, and Russian markets for products like textiles, food products, and agricultural goods, including rice, wheat, and cotton.

The foundation for this project was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Railways sector, signed by Pakistan and Russia during the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in June 2024. This agreement paved the way for this ambitious project, which promises to establish a more efficient and cost-effective trade route linking South Asia with Central Asia and Russia.