Introduction

The Salafchegan Special Economic Zone (SEZ), covering an area of 3,500 hectares, is located at kilometer 3 of the Salafchegan–Isfahan road. In the comprehensive development master plan of the Salafchegan SEZ, rail logistics land parcels with an area of 230 hectares have been designated in the southwestern part of the zone, along with a railway station inside the SEZ. Currently, the rail connection to Zovarian Station is in the final stages of implementation. The feasibility studies and basic design of the Salafchegan Dry Port were carried out with two main objectives: To address the rail freight transport needs of the SEZ itself, and To serve the industries located around the zone by providing inland cargo movement into the country, supported by value-added logistics services, thereby functioning as the regional logistics hub (extra-urban logistics center) of Qom Province. The scope of studies included:  

• Review of existing plans and upstream documents
• Rail freight demand forecasting
• Dry port master planning
• Basic design of the terminal and associated buildings
• Planning for cargo handling equipment procurement
• Economic assessment of the rail terminal
• Financial and economic analysis, including investment and participation models
• Preparation of tender documents

In the rail demand forecasting studies for the Salafchegan Dry Port, three scenarios were evaluated to estimate the type and volume of rail cargo in the SEZ (minimum, medium, and maximum scenarios). The medium scenario was recommended as the most probable, forecasting around 1.8 million tons, including approximately 1 million tons from the SEZ cargo and 800,000 tons from neighboring industries. The main cargo types expected at the dry port include general cargo (break-bulk), containers, and petroleum derivatives. Moreover, due to its strategic geographical location and favorable climatic conditions, the Salafchegan SEZ also has potential for handling dry bulk cargo (grains) and liquid petroleum products

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