Armenian company joins Chabahar freight operations

PanARMENIAN.Net - One of Armenia’s companies has secured an agreement to register in Iran’s Chabahar Free Trade Zone and launch logistics activities, according to Armenia’s Ministry of Economy, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.

The company’s registration in the Chabahar Free Trade Zone stems from a memorandum of understanding and cooperation signed between Armenian businesses and Iranian authorities.

The ministry recalled that the memorandum was signed during a visit from November 11-14, 2024, led by Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Economy Narek Hovakimyan.

However, freight rates have not yet been determined.

“To assess economic efficiency, a certain volume of cargo transportation must be carried out, and work is currently underway in this direction,” the ministry stated.

Yerevan is keen on establishing a trade corridor between Iran and India and is working on organizing freight shipments through Chabahar to India, China, and vice versa.

The ministry emphasized that Armenia is diversifying its logistics connections, and incorporating Chabahar could become a key component of this strategy.

According to estimates, the establishment of regular freight shipments between India and Armenia would reduce transit times and foster trade growth.

In May 2024, Armenia planned to launch a new trade route via Chabahar to connect with India. This project aimed to strengthen the regional logistics network.

The idea emerged in 2023 when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commissioned an interdepartmental working group to organize freight transportation and set up an operational hub in Chabahar. However, the route’s launch dates remain uncertain.

As per the initial plan, cargo would be shipped from India’s Mumbai port to Chabahar, then transported overland to Armenia and further to Georgia. Georgian ports could serve as gateways to Europe, while the Upper Lars checkpoint could facilitate shipments to Russia.