At first, these republics were bringing in imports via Iran by truck. But Iranian truckers started raising their charges to the point where it became unfeasible. The Silver Seas' operated Golden Route has brought freight rates down by more than 40 per cent, while the average transit time has been halved, with goods taking 14 days to make it from Bandar Abbas to Almaty, exclusive of loading time and customs clearance. Transit time is set to be further reduced when a track between the central Iranian town of Bafq and Mashhad is completed, shaving 1,500 kilometres off the current journey. As important, if not more so, is the cargo capacity these goods trains offer 1,500 tonnes per trip, against just 21 tonnes for trucks.
Truckers are also unable to provide transportation for reefer cargoes, unlike the trains.
Salamah says companies working in Central Asia are already starting to get back to him when they find there is no real alternative. Clients have tried other routes and failed. Confidence in Silver Seas is growing. But Salamah's gaze is fixed on a horizon much further away. He is awaiting the completion of a new track between the central Iranian town of Kerman and Zahedan, near the border with Pakistan.