While in 1993 the European Commission was held in Europe, the ministers of transportation besides east and west corridors introduced a new corridor known as Nostrac. This corridor links Northern European Countries and Russia via Iran to India Ocean Countries , Persian Gulf, and Far East Asia. At the beginning this corridor was in the route of Helsinki , Moscow , Djulfa (Iran) which after beginning of Gharah Bagh war this route became deserted practically and the route of Sarakhs(Iran), Moscow, Makhach Qalah port (Daghestan) was preferred. However, since this route was unsafe and uneconomical , then the rout of B.Abbas (South of Iran) - Bandar Anzali or Amir Abad port (Southern Caspian Sea Ports), Astrakhan , Lagan (Northern Caspian Sea Ports)was suggested. The connection mechanism between Northern and Southern Caspian Sea ports is by Ro-Ro ships and rail. and the connection mechanism between B.Abbas and Kuwait, Saudi Arabia , U.A.E. , Oman and India ports is by RO-Ro ships. On the other hand Moscow city as the central terminal (HUB) gathers Northern and Eastern Europe cargoes by rail and after moving them to one of Southern Caspian Sea ports they will be linked to to Iran transportation network.

This route , the main part of which is in Iran, is too much cheaper and faster than old routes and will save up to %30 in money and time of goods' owners. One of the most important advantages of this route is enjoying different crossings and branches between CIS and Europe which provides necessary distribution possibilities of cargoes of North-South. By making use of this route , time of delivery of container from Mumbai to Moscow will be just 1 month while via Baltic sea the transit time is %30 more and the charges are %20 more.

To introduce and flourish this route; Iran , Russia and India registered this route in UNIDO. Also Russia registered a company , NOSTRAC, in London. There had been held some meetings by Iran and Russia in Mumbai and New Delhi in November 2000 to specify the advantages of this route. In spite of the fact that Northern European countries attend TRACCECA corridor for its' being economical and faster ; however, for the cargoes the destination of which is Southern European ports Iran route is the most economical route.

To get more information please e-mail to : bandar-anzali@ktsco.com