FESCO Transportation Group launches a new Trans-Caspian container logistics service for shipping import cargo from Iran, announces the company’s press release.

FESCO Russia Iran Service (FRIS) includes shipping by Caspian Sea on board the vessels of FESCO partners, terminal handling in the ports of Olya (Russia) and Nowshahr or Bandar-e Anzali (Iran) and inland transportation by FESCO trucks or rail. The sea leg between Olya and the Iranian ports, making the basic part of the service, provides lowest freight rates and shortest transit time (5 days) as compared to any possible overland alternatives. The delivery is made by FESCO through bill of lading.

The trial shipment of containers was arranged from Saint Petersburg to Iran in March, 2016. Now the vessel with ten 40-foot refrigerated containers with fruits left Anzali on 12 November and arrived to Olya on 17 November, therefrom the containers are to be delivered to Moscow and Nizhniy Novgorod by FESCO trucks. The total transit time will be 8 days, the route being 2,520 km.

With growing volumes FESCO plans to arrange a rail delivery of perishable goods from Olya port to Russian inland. To keep the products fresh, the transportation is effected in refrigerated containers equipped with gen-sets.

FRIS is the only intermodal container service whereby cargo is shipped between Iran and Russia directly, without crossing borders of third countries. The launch of this route opens new opportunities for development of transportation between the two countries.

FESCO Group is an intermodal operator that manages marine, railway and automobile transport capacities and stevedoring services. By owning Vladivostok Sea Commercial Port , it is one of the largest operators of port infrastructure in Russia. FESCO main shareholders: Summa Group (32.5%), GHP Group (23.8%), TPG (17.4%) and East Capital (4.9%).