North-South Corridor (INSTC)

The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-km-long, multi-modal transport corridor for moving freight between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. It includes a network of ship, rail, and road transport modes.

It was established in 2000 with the objective of increasing trade connectivity between major cities such as Mumbai, Moscow, Tehran, Baku, Bandar Abbas, Astrakhan and Bandar Anzali, as well as other cities and ports along the corridor. Participant countries aim to digitalise the process and reduce costs.

INSTC has gained importance this year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started on February 24, 2022. Western sanctions against Russia quickly followed and European and U.S. markets are now closed to most Russian products. Moscow has responded by pivoting its import and export trade south and east. Iran, India and China are identified as key markets to be expanded in the strategy to replace European trade.
Ports Europe: Updated October 18, 2022