Russia is considering placing a port transport and logistics hub on the eastern coast of Africa. It is planned to be included in the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC, МТК «Север — Юг»), said Sergey Ryabkov, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, at the Russia–Africa economic and humanitarian forum, as TASS reported.
“In concrete terms we are speaking about placing a Russian port transport and logistics hub on the east coast of Africa as part of the international transport corridor North–South,” the deputy foreign minister noted.
The idea of such a node is not being discussed for the first time. In July 2023 President Vladimir Putin spoke about the expediency of opening a Russian transport and logistics centre in one of the ports on the east coast of Africa in order to link the North–South corridor with African transport infrastructure.
Creating the hub could expand the presence of Russian logistics operators in the African direction and make the corridor more attractive for haulage between Russia, the Gulf countries, India and African states. The North–South corridor is meant to cut the time and cost of freight delivery against traditional sea routes through the Suez Canal.
According to TASS, work on the question of placing the hub is tied to the general development of the North–South corridor. Delivering the project will require agreement with the host side and work-out of legal and investment mechanisms. The specific port, the investment volume and the timetable have not been named yet.
Developing transport cooperation with African countries is one line of strengthening Russia's external economic ties. A logistics node on the east coast of Africa could become a practical step in growing freight flows along the North–South corridor.