Enzeli–Astrakhan: the streaming route

The northern Iranian province of Gilan, located on the Caspian Sea coast, has long been a partner of Russia. Its economic stronghold is the port of Enzeli, and on the Russian side — Astrakhan. The sea does not divide them but unites them. The logistical route between them plays a key role in trade and economic relations between the two countries. The number of Iranian ships calling at Astrakhan ports in 2025 exceeded one thousand — the highest figure in recent years. This statistic was cited by Astrakhan Region Governor Igor Babushkin at a recent international forum of Caspian regional representatives in Rasht, the administrative center of Gilan.

At the same time, the “Caspian EXPO-2025” exhibition was held in the port of Enzeli, under the patronage of the Gilan governor’s administration. This port has been a free economic zone since 2005. Since then, tens of millions of dollars have been invested in its infrastructure, turning Enzeli into an efficient link of the “North–South” transport corridor. Since the beginning of the current year, over 1.7 million tons of cargo have been loaded and unloaded at its terminals. New facilities are being commissioned: last month two structured piers for petroleum products and a grain warehouse with a capacity of 50,000 tons began operations.

More than 30 companies from Iran, Russia, and other Caspian countries took part in the exhibition. Notably, among them were not only logistics and food companies but also representatives of high-tech industries. For example, the Iranian company “Moghan” manufactures multipurpose industrial cables capable of withstanding maximum operating loads while simultaneously transmitting real-time data about production processes through various environments. The company’s management is seriously considering establishing a presence in the Enzeli FEZ to form direct contacts with partners in Russia.

Russian entrepreneurs also paid close attention to the “Caspian EXPO-2025.” A large delegation from Dagestan attended, including the leadership of the Makhachkala Commercial Sea Port. There were also representatives from the port special economic zone “Olya,” located in the Liman District of the Astrakhan Region. Among them was its resident company “Caspiy,” which owns two terminals for transshipping grain and vegetable oil. A third one — a container terminal — will be completed in 2026.

The main attraction of the exhibition was the stand of “Mir Business Bank” — a Russian bank with 100% foreign capital, operating since 2002. Its sole shareholder is “Bank Melli Iran,” a systemically important bank for the neighboring country. Currently, MBB dominates the Russian financial market in the area of direct non-dollar settlements with Iran. Its branches are open in Astrakhan and Kazan. The bank’s booth also featured its subsidiary insurance company “Miran,” which provides clients with a full range of insurance and reinsurance services.

In a conversation with me, Saman Nazari, the president of the Gilan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he hopes that an MBB branch will soon open in Enzeli. In his opinion, this would give an additional boost to the development of Iran–Russia trade relations, as they currently lack financial stability and transparency. Speaking at the “Caspian EXPO-2025,” MBB CEO Mohammad Esmail Khazzar emphasized that his bank attaches great importance to harmonizing direct financial settlements between Iran and Russia. Significant progress has already been achieved in many areas, and new positive steps are on the agenda for the benefit of entrepreneurs in both neighboring countries, the MBB head underlined.

Alexander Trubin, Moscow–Tehran–Rasht–Enzeli–Moscow