The first TIR multimodal transport operation from India to Afghanistan via the Iranian port of Chabahar was completed last week.

The operation, which shipped production line parts from the Iranian port of Chabahar to its final destination in Afghanistan, took seven days, five days by sea and two days by road. By comparison, the traditional route from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas takes three to four days longer. It was also the first TIR multimodal operation to start in India and be carried by an Indian TIR licensee.

TIR facilitates seamless multimodal transport

With TIR and its IT tools, the risk management process can be done up front. Therefore, at all ports including Chabahar, containers do not need to be checked out of the box.

Cargoes departing from Afghanistan can now reach their destinations safely and reliably 20 percent faster, allowing carriers in and out of the region to benefit from reduced land and sea travel times.

"This is the first TIR multimodal operation from India via the Chabahar Corridor and is an exciting development that demonstrates the vast potential of TIR multimodal transport to carriers and transport companies around the world," said IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto.

Chabahar - Important trade gateway for TIR in and out of India

Besides connecting Iran to Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia and Europe, Chabahar is Iran's only port with direct access to the Indian Ocean.

This TIR transport operation is based on the Chabhar Transit Agreement signed between Iran and India and represents the first step towards the full start-up of the Indo-Iran-Afghanistan Corridor.

Mr. Umberto de Breto concluded, "Given the current impact of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 outbreak, it is particularly important to open up new corridors. Opening up new, faster and safer routes will help ensure a steady flow of goods to those in need."