INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Iran has added 15 ships to its trade maritime fleet in the Caspian Sea amid growing trade ties with Russia and other countries
merchant fleet will further expand in the near future with the arrival of new ships from the Volga River.The announcement comes amid growing
shipping activity in the Caspian Sea as Russia and other countries have ramped up their exports and imports via Iran and its southern
ports.Media reports and statements by Iranian authorities show there has been a major surge in trade via the International North-South
Transport Corridor (INSTC), a route that connects the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean to countries to the north of Iran via the Iranian
road and rail transportation network.Iran has created new infrastructure, including modern port operation systems, in its northern ports to
both facilitate cargo transit via the INSTC and to increase its own exports to Russia and other countries.Last month, Iran and Russia signed
