WIDESAFE International Logistics | China–Iran Sea & Rail Combined Transport Solutions

Iran Logistics Service Solutions – Sea & Rail Combined Transport

Greetings from WideSafe International Logistics in Xi'an, China. I am Archer Xu, Logistics Director, with 11+ years of deep expertise in China-Europe and Central Asia railway freight operations, as well as ocean freight forwarding across the Middle East and Persian Gulf corridors.

WideSafe is a Ministry of Commerce-approved Class I international freight forwarder, headquartered at the Xi'an International Port. We hold dual certifications from WCA (Member No. 140026) and JCtrans (Member No. 110483), and operate direct booking access to China Railway's official platform — giving us real-time departure schedules, transparent pricing, and guaranteed slot allocation.

Iran's trade with China reached $42 billion in 2025, with rail and sea freight volumes growing steadily despite regional disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz situation has reshaped logistics planning — making multi-modal solutions not just an option, but a strategic necessity.

As of mid-2026, the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly disrupted. Over 850 merchant vessels have been stranded for weeks, Far East ocean freight rates have risen 40%+ since February, and cargo insurance premiums for Gulf-destined shipments have tripled. Iran's parliament has introduced a new Strait crossing fee of $10,000–$200,000 per vessel — a structural cost that will persist even after normalisation.

This is why we are presenting a combined sea and rail solution. For cargo that is time-sensitive, rail is now the primary viable option. For cost-optimised shipments where transit time is flexible, sea freight via Bandar Abbas remains competitive — especially with our direct carrier relationships with EASCO and VOLTA. And for maximum supply chain resilience, our sea-rail intermodal service lets you switch modes based on real-time market conditions, port congestion, and urgency.

I. Ocean Freight Rates — China to Bandar Abbas (Iran)

We operate direct sea freight services from all major Chinese ports to Bandar Abbas (BND), Iran's primary container port. Through our partnerships with EASCO (Iran Shipping Lines / HDSL) and VOLTA Container Line, we offer competitive FCL rates with guaranteed space allocation and weekly sailings.

Carrier: EASCO (Iran Shipping Lines / HDSL) — Direct Service to Bandar Abbas

Carrier: VOLTA Container Line — Direct Service to Bandar Abbas

*Note: Above ocean freight rates are base FCL rates (FOB / port-to-port, CY/CY) from Chinese origin ports to Bandar Abbas, Iran. Rates are valid through June 30, 2026. Surcharges may apply: BAF (bunker adjustment), war risk insurance, THC, documentation fee ($50–80/shipment), seal fee ($10–20/unit), and ISPS. Given the current Strait of Hormuz situation, surcharges are subject to rapid change — final all-in rates confirmed at booking. EASCO offers the most economical base rates; VOLTA provides faster transit with daily sailings and more flexible scheduling.

II. Rail Freight Service — China to Iran (Chang'an Express)

CORE ROUTE: Xi'an — Khorgos — Bolashak — Incheborun — Tehran (Transit Time: 23 Days to Tehran, Weekly departures from Xi'an | 40HQ and 20GP options | FCL, LCL & door-to-station services available)

Core Advantages — China-Iran Rail Corridor

• Fixed weekly departures from Xi'an — confirmed ETD, no placeholder bookings.
• Transit time: 23 days to Tehran (via Khorgos–Bolashak–Incheborun)
• Door-to-station services available: pickup + customs clearance + loading + consolidation
• SOC (Shipper-Owned Container) 40HQ available — eliminates demurrage and detention risk
• No hidden charges: quoted rate is the all-in total cost — transparent and fully disclosed.
• Professional Iran documentation: T1 transit customs, commodity inspection, and third-country arrival filings
• Own bonded warehouse — free storage available
• JCtrans (110483) & WCA (140026) member — globally verified industry credentials

FCL Railway Rates — China to Iran

*Note: All prices are FOB / station-to-station (SOC or COC). Does not include door-to-door delivery or destination local charges. Container leasing fee may apply — please enquire. Rates subject to market fluctuation; final confirmation upon receipt of cargo details. For shipments originating from Xi'an or other inland cities, an additional USD 300–350 per container applies.

LCL Rail Consolidation — For Partial Container Loads

For cargo volumes below a full container load, we offer LCL (Less-than-Container Load) rail consolidation services. Multiple shippers share container space, splitting costs by volume (CBM) or weight — no need to wait for a full container to be assembled. LCL transit times are identical to FCL departures. Please share your cargo volume (CBM or weight), commodity description, and destination city for a tailored LCL quote.

III. Sea-Rail Combined Transport — Why It Works

• Mode Flexibility: Switch between sea and rail based on real-time market conditions, port congestion, and cargo urgency. Rail for time-critical shipments (23 days to Tehran); sea for cost-optimised bulk orders (25–32 days to Bandar Abbas).
• Cost Optimisation: EASCO sea freight starts at $2,000/20GP — the most economical option for non-urgent cargo. Rail at $5,750–$7,800/40HQ delivers speed when every day counts. Blend both modes across your shipment portfolio to balance cost and transit time.
• Dual-Port Coverage: Sea freight reaches Bandar Abbas (southern Iran, Persian Gulf); rail reaches Tehran and Incheborun (northern Iran, Caspian corridor). Together, they cover Iran's major economic zones — north and south — from a single logistics partner.
• Risk Diversification: Don't put all your cargo on one route. If the Strait of Hormuz disrupts sea freight, rail via Khorgos–Incheborun keeps your supply chain moving.
• Carrier Partnerships: Direct relationships with EASCO (Iran's national carrier) and VOLTA (daily Bandar Abbas sailings) mean guaranteed space, preferential rates, and priority handling.
• One-Stop Management: Single point of contact for both sea and rail. Unified tracking, consolidated documentation, coordinated customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery.

IV. Cargo Types We Handle

• General merchandise, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment parts
• Electronics, automotive parts, and industrial components
• Household goods, furniture, and textiles
• Chemical products and industrial raw materials
• Hazardous materials (Class I–IX, subject to route-specific approval)
• Temperature-sensitive cargo (reefer containers available on select routes)

V. Next Steps

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific shipping requirements and prepare a tailored sea-rail freight proposal. Please share your cargo details:

[Cargo Information Needed for Custom Quote] Commodity | HS Code | Weight / Volume | Origin city / port | Destination city / port | Preferred mode (sea / rail / combined) | Trade terms (FOB / CIF / DAP / DDP)

We will respond with a detailed freight quote within one business day. No commitment required — this is simply an initial conversation.

Important Notes:
1. Space confirmation: All sailings and rail departures require advance slot confirmation. We recommend booking 7–10 days before your desired ETD.
2. Rate validity: Sea freight rates are valid through June 30, 2026. Rail rates are subject to monthly adjustment.
3. Custom quotes: For project cargo, dangerous goods, reefer containers, oversized equipment, or door-to-door (DDP/DDU) services, please contact us directly.