Iran, Oman augment multimodal freight transit through Ashgabat Agreement

Iran and Oman are planning to broaden their transport ties for commercial and touristic purposes. From rail, road, air, and maritime cooperation to a combination of these modes, the collaboration of these two neighboring countries will augment freight transit in the region.

Tehran, May 10 (MRUD NEWS)—Upon the formal invitation of Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, from his Omani counterpart, Oman Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Saeed Bin Hamoud Al-Mawal, arrived in Tehran yesterday at the head of a high-ranking delegation.

In the meeting, the two sides conferred on various agendas in different modes of transport including maritime, rail, air, road, and also multimodal transport.

Iran proposed reaching a comprehensive transport agreement. In this regard, the Omani Minister informed of approving the 'comprehensive maritime transport agreement' on the part of Oman which now needs to be approved by Iran's Parliament.

In the maritime transport, launching direct shipping lines between ports of Iran and Oman, particularly between Bandar Abbas and Shinas Ports for boosting commercial activities was emphasized. Considering the increasing demands for passenger transport, the shipping line would expand tourism between Iran and Oman, added Bazrpash.

Moreover, investments in ports particularly in Chabahar and Shinas Ports were welcomed by two parties. Bazrpash proposed Oman to identify a site in Iran for investing in a dry port.

In the air transport, the fifth freedom as well as increasing and facilitating flights between Iran and Oman airlines were talked over.

Facilitation of export/import through multimodal transit from Central Asia to Oman through Iran was also discussed by implementation of the Ashgabat Agreement. In this sense, Iran and Oman trucks will enter into their territories and then the freight would be shipped through landing crafts and ships to the destinations.

Iran and Oman Ministers of transport had met last year in May when the two sides negotiated on transport ties including Oman's joining to the trilateral Chabahar Agreement previously inked between Iran, India, and Afghanistan. In this meeting, the two sides followed up previous agreements.

Earlier in January, the passenger shipping line between Chabahar and Oman resumed its operation after its first launch in 2016.