The construction of the Sarakhs railway terminal in Iran, located on the border with Turkmenistan, is nearing completion, with the project currently 60% finished, IRNA reported on Sunday.

According to Mostafa Nasiri Varga, head of the Khorasan Railway Authority, active work is underway on developing a specialized container loading zone spanning 18 hectares, with participation from the private sector.

Once completed, the terminal is expected to become a key transshipment hub for containers moving between Iran, Central Asia, and China, significantly speeding up cargo transport. The facility will be equipped with modern cranes and loading systems, enabling efficient rail-based container transit along the China–Iran route and onward to Western and Southern destinations.

The project aims to boost container movement along the international North–South and East–West transport corridors. It is expected to not only expedite trade transit but also simplify export and import operations between Iran, Central Asia, and China.

As part of the initiative, railway routes through Sarakhs and Incheh Borun will also be developed, facilitating smooth cargo movement from China through Iran and further into Europe. Freight traffic via these rail crossings is set to become an integral component of regional trade and transit.

Sarakhs, located in Iran’s northeasternmost corner about 185 kilometers from Mashhad, serves as a vital hub for foreign trade and regional transit, particularly with neighboring Central Asian nations.