Over the last few decades, urbanization and changing climactic conditions have led to economic losses in Armenia. From 1994–2014, Armenia lost well over $1.5 billion due to natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, and drought. 90% of losses from natural disasters in Armenia are linked to severe weather events (for more information see links below to source). 

Disasters, Conflicts and Migration 

For a more information please see the following links: 

World Bank Document on Disaster Risk Finance Country Note: Armenia 2017 

Armenia Climate Risk Profile 

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities 

Armenia is located in subtropics, however, because of the high-mountainous character the climate here is rather dry continental with hot summers (average temperature +25 С) and cold winters (average temperature -6C). Due to snowfalls, there are usually problems with traffic during Autumn-Winter months in the Primary Roads.  

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response 

GOVERNMENT 

Rep. of Armenia legislation provides regulatory coverage of around 80% of disaster management sphere. 

RA laws "On Protecting Population in Emergencies", "On Fire Safety", "On Hydro-Meteorological Activity", "On Seismic Protection", "On Civil Protection", "On State Regulation for Technical Safety", "On Armenian Rescue Service" and "On Units of Civil Protection" providing regulation for the sphere and numerous other relevant laws have been adopted. (see: www.laws.am) Disaster management sphere is also regulated at sub-legislative level: several hundreds of Government and Prime-Ministerial Decrees and Orders of the heads of other agencies are in effect. At present, according to the Laws "On Protecting Population in Emergencies", "On Civil Protection" and other laws of RA, the disaster management system includes state government agencies, local governments and organizations. 

The authorities of ministries and other agencies are clearly specified at legislative and sub legislative levels, both in general terms and in relation to specific phenomena causing potential emergencies. 

The legislation of RA specifies the competences of the republican authorized executive agency in the sphere of emergencies: The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) and the powers of its subordinate agencies. This provides an almost full coverage of the framework for emergency prevention, mitigation and recovery. 

The activities and powers of regional authorities are fully and clearly specified. For prompt and efficient emergency management, mitigation and recovery, the right to give direct instructions to regional sub-divisions of republican executive agencies has been reserved to regional authorities by laws and sub legislation acts. 

The diagram below demonstrates that the united system of disaster management (DM) includes republican and regional government agencies, local self-government bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations. The main purpose of the system is protection of population in the whole country through legal and organizational complex activities. 

For more information on Armenia Government and Humanitarian capacity for emergency response, please see the following document: Armenia Capacity for In-Country Emergency Response 

For information on Armenia Government Contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Armenia Government Contact List

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY 

UNDP Disaster Management Team (DMT) co-chairs Donor Coordination group on disaster management with the Ministry of Emergency Situations since 2008; as of March 2009, this group was merged with the Disaster Management Team (DMT), chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and comprising of all UN agencies, Ministry of ES /Rescue Service, Armenian Red Cross, interested donor agencies and international and local NGOs. 

While the focus of the DMT is on disaster preparedness and response, it also provides room for programmatic discussions, and thus is considered the only coordination and information exchange forum in the area of disaster management. Cooperation Agreement between ARS and the UN DMT signed in October 2007 on defining roles and responsibilities of both UN DMT and the ARS in two phases: preparedness and actual emergency. 

According to the Rep of Armenia regulations several items can be imported to Armenia after appropriate certificate of quality/safety has been received from appropriate agency. 

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories' contact detail, please see the following link: 4.1 Armenia Government Contact List

In 2001, customs department was split from the Ministry of State Revenues and the State Customs Committee of the Government of Armenia was formed. However, by the presidential decree NH-226-N of August 20, 2008, State Customs Committee and State Tax Service of the Government of the Republic of Armenia were re-organized into State Revenue Committee of the Government of Armenia through a merger. The below diagram demonstrates the organizational structure of the State Revenue Committee concerning the Tax Service and Customs Service.

The regional customs houses are customs entities where the goods and means of transportation/vehicles transferred by the organizations registered in the customs zone of activity of the given regional customs house are processed. Each regional customs house has some customs points under its subordination. The customs points are customs entities where goods and vehicles conveyed by physical persons undergo final processing, as well as goods and vehicles conveyed by legal entities undergo registration and initial customs processing (in case of import and transit) or registration and release (in case of export and transit).

Duties and Tax Exemption 

• VAT - 20% from customs value (cost of goods plus transport cost) Import
• Duty an average 10% for specified goods 
• Road Tax
• Ecology Tax 
• Goods and services recognized as humanitarian assistance within the framework of humanitarian aid programs are exempt from all duties and taxes 

In order to get HACC (Humanitarian Assistance Central Committee) approval prior of arrival of goods, letter request with supporting docs (cargo docs, distribution plan) should be submitted to HACC. 

Copy of recognition letter should be submitted to Head of Customs before declaring goods. 

Clearing cargo with incomplete documentation is not possible, in case of any missing documentation, goods could be unloaded at the bonded warehouse (or in case of big shipment or humanitarian assistance) in consignee's warehouse, however consignees do not have right to use goods until issue with docs are solved and clearance is done. Best before date of commodity, as per local legislation is a must on any kind of packaging, including bags. Usually as per law printing should be in Armenian as well, however for humanitarian assistance, issue with Armenian language was waived. 

Since 2015 the Republic of Armenia became a member of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The EAEU introduces the free movement of goods, capital, services and people and provides for common policies in macroeconomic sphere, transport, industry and agriculture, energy, foreign trade and investment, customs, technical regulation, competition and antitrust regulation. One of the main features of the Union is that there is no customs clearance required for the goods received from other member countries, which are Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus.  For goods imported from EAEU, special tax forms need to be filled in and presented to the Tax Authorities: Import Declaration and a Statement on Import of Goods. 

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 4.1 Armenia Government Contact List 

Emergency Response 

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response) 

• Single Administrative Document (SAD) is completed based on this document 
• Goods and vehicle declaration is automated and is implemented by ASYCUDA system 
• Before starting declaration process the importer has the right to observe and measure goods and vehicles, and take samples if permitted by customs bodies on condition that they will be included in the submitted declaration 
• Goods and vehicles are declared in the custom house by the following sequence:
  • Registering a SAD 
  • Accepting a SAD
  • Selectivity
  • Payment 
  • Goods Release 

SAD Registration 

Based on the submitted documents the declarant fills out the corresponding fields in the SAD. The completed SAD is registered in the automated system. 

The registered SAD is checked and signed by the declarant and stamped with the organization seal and is submitted to the authorized person in the custom house, i.e. to the estimating inspector 

Amendments and supplements to the customs declaration are made before it is accepted by the authorized customs officer.

Accepting a SAD 

Customs bodies check the accuracy of the order of filling out the SAD, the completeness and validity of submitted documents, the accuracy of applying the customs value method, etc. 

After the documents are checked the declarant is notified about the responsibility he/she bears in case incorrect information is provided and only after that the SAD is estimated and accepted. 

The estimated SAD is sealed with inspector’s personal seal, and the declarant signs and seals the document with the seal of the organization. The estimated SAD is considered to be accepted by customs bodies. It is a legal document starting from the moment it is accepted, and the declarant bears a responsibility for the inaccuracy of information declared by him. 

Selectivity 

After estimating the SAD, further declaration direction is automatically selected by ASYCUDA SAD can be selected by: 

• Red Passage - declared freight is subject to detailed inspection
• Yellow Passage - declared freight is subject to partial inspection
• Green Passage - declared freight is released without inspection 

Payment 

The declarant pays customs fees calculated in the SAD. All documents necessary for customs payments are to be completed, namely budget transfer notice of customs fees and customs fee receipt.

The SAD and the other above-mentioned documents are sealed by inspector’s seal. 

Goods Release 

In case red and yellow passages are selected, declared goods are inspected according to the procedures defined by the law, and correspondence between goods indicated in the SAD and actually existing goods is checked. 

In case there is no correspondence between the information mentioned in the declaration and actual goods, a protocol regarding the violation of customs regulations is prepared in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

The declarant submits documents (a certificate of correspondence or about origin, etc.) provided by authorized bodies in case there is a necessity of non-tariff regulation defined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia. 

Declared goods are subject to veterinary, sanitary and other type of control provided by the state bodies of the RA, in case there is the necessity for it. After having inspected goods (red and yellow passages) in case information declared corresponds to actually existing goods, the freight is released by making an appropriate note on the SAD. 

Goods entering the Republic of Armenia within the framework of programs of humanitarian assistance or charity 

In the event of absence of direct reference in the legislation (including the international agreements of the Republic of Armenia) to the nature of a program, the latter shall be classified as pertaining to humanitarian assistance, charity and technical (other) nature by the Authorized Body of the Government of the Republic of Armenia coordinating humanitarian assistance (HACC). 

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements 

Customs Clearance 

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements 

Transit Regime 

The customs regime of transit shipment in Armenia is considered transportation of goods under customs control between two customs points without modification of the bill of lading. Transit shipment regime implies: 

• No customs payments 
• That the goods shall be transported from one customs point of destination to another within a ten-day period maximum and submission to customs bodies for temporary custody within the specified period in case of force majeure 
• Exception of changes other than natural deterioration or changes caused by the transportation or storage under abnormal conditions;
• Obligatory customs accompanying in cases stipulated by the Rep of Armenia government if otherwise is not stipulated customs code. 

There is government established list of goods that are prohibited to be transported through the Rep of Armenia territory. Those goods transportation through the Rep of Armenia territory shall be subject of licensing and the order of implementation. Carrier who arrange transit transportation of goods and means of transportation through the Rep of Armenia territory: 

• Should incur liability for transit shipment of goods and means of transportation under the ‘transit shipment’ regime according to this code and other legal acts. 
• In case of alienation, lost or not reaching to the customs point, or leaving the Rep of Armenia customs territory of goods and means of transportation without permission of the Customs Authorities, the carrier shall be obliged to pay the customs payments stipulated by "imported for free circulation" regime within 10 days following the date stipulated for the transit shipment and pay the penalties stipulated by the legislation in the event of failure to pay customs payments within the specified period. 
• In case the goods are destroyed or lost irrevocably in consequence of force-majeure circumstances, or undergone natural deterioration, or are damaged due to transportation under abnormal conditions, or actions or idleness of the RA State authorities and officials and that fact is stated with the relevant documents. 

Since 2008 the Customs committee has started to encourage all organizations importing or exporting goods in Armenia to use licensed customs brokers to conduct clearance process 

Currently almost all transport companies either have their own employee who have license to do clearance or have a contract with small companies who are providing such services 

Armenia Customs Additional Information                 

Focal points for information 

Since 2008 the humanitarian community in Armenia has outsourced customs clearance services to licensed brokers, customs clearance agencies include:

• GOSSELIN YEREVAN" Armenian-Belgian Joint Venture, Closed Joint-Stock Company (CJSC) Phone +37491402445 Point of contact Vahram M. Jotyan, Director E mail yerevan@gosselinarmenia.com
• TRANSIMPEX" Limited Liability Company (LLC) Point of Contact Vartan Barseghyan Phone +37491516869 E mail vbarseghyan@transimpex.am
• “ARA AMIRYAN" Limited Liability Company (LLC), Point of Contact Ara Amiryan Phone +37491421530 e mail: araamiryan@gmail.com

In addition to above list there are several customs clearance agent available as per link https://www.spyur.am/en/business_directory/bd/9433

The following table includes information on a focal point in the country’s customs authority. This is a national official responsible for facilitating the Customs treatment of consignments of international emergency humanitarian assistance.

Customs Information by Entry Point

Each point of entry is equipped with customs office, immigration office and border authorities. Below are three main land entry points with description.  

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

Key port information can also be found at: Maritime Database Website 

Port Overview

Being a landlocked country and the subject of a trade embargo by 2 of its 4 neighbours, the Georgian ports Poti and Batumi on the Black Sea coast provides access for the majority of shipments to Armenia. 

Port Poti is on a plain, where the Rioni River empties into the Black Sea, 265 km northwest of Tbilisi, with its geographical location represents a crossroad of the Caucasian corridor. 

Nowadays the port is equipped with modern cargo handling facilities and in line with the European standards. The port has open and closed warehouses, supportive constructions, 8 cargo handling complex located at 15 berths of the “northern port” and “inner basin”, passenger station and berths for fishing fleet. Sea Port of Poti has all conditions to satisfy client’s different requirements regarding cargo and passenger carriage. 

Port website: Port of Poti Website 

Port Picture 

Plans for the port in future can be found in this video on YouTube. 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

For information on Port of Poti contact details, please see the following link: Port of Poti Website 

Port Performance  

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

Port tariffs are determined in accordance with the Maritime Code of Georgia, Civil Code of Georgia, Georgian law and other legislative acts relating to transport rules and regulations according to the legislative normative act.

Tariffs are established according to the vessel conditional volume, which is determined with international measurement certificate or according to - LOA of vessel, breadth and molded depth.

Barges, or floating objects combination volumes are determined as sum of separate elements. All charges for services should be paid by forwarder (ship-owner, freighter) or by vessel agent before any vessel leaves from port. In the case of non-payment of service tariffs and fines, the Port Administration Office will provide written notice and the Harbour Master who is permitted to refuse permission for the vessel to leave the port. Lighter ships, which carry out loading operations on internal and external roadstead, pay tariffs according to the lighter volume, which will be given at time of vessel call in port and will receive at time of leaving the port.

Services which are conducted during holidays incur a 25% surcharge for every vessel 

Holidays are defined according to the labour law of Georgia. All kinds of service should be in detail decoded in the bill presented to ship-owner, included service carried out during the holidays. For the calculation of service fees, times rounded-up for each 30 minutes. Therefore, less than 30 minutes will be counted as half an hour and more than 30 minutes will be charged as 1 hour. Payment of tonnage, channel, berthing, sanitary inspection service and watchman tariffs are carried out once and will be paid per operation, by which a vessel arrived to the port. The navigation regimes are established for tariff award: 

National Transporting – refers to vessels under the flag of Georgia, which carries out a navigation in Azov and Black Sea Basin between the ports of Georgia and CIS. 

Vessels with privilege or national regime – refers to vessels, under the flag of Georgia that have concluded an agreement regarding commercial navigation and the vessels under the flag of Georgia as well, which carry out a navigation not in CIS countries. 

Vessels with regular regime – refer to vessels, under the flag of Georgia has not concluded an agreement regarding a commercial navigation. For all tariff calculations, for those oil carrier (OBO) vessels and tankers, that have double bottom, double board or insulated ballast tanks (containers), their conditional volume is multiplied on coefficient -0.85, in case the vessel (agent) presents the International Certificate (IOPP) - to avoid the sea from oil pollution.

Berthing Specifications 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

Port Handling Equipment 

Currently the Port is a separate business entity and is operating its own equipment as private company. 

Container Facilities 

The port has one designated container terminal (terminal No. 7) and each major/ international container lines represented in Port Poti such as Maersk, MSC, CMA/CGM, Zim, Happag Lyods have their own terminals outside of port. 

Key airport information may also be found at: World Aero Data Website 

For information on Armenia aviation contact details, please see the following link: 4.5 Armenia Airport Company Contact List

Domestic airports or air strips are not functioning since collapse of Soviet Union. Government is currently trying to recover at least one or two airports/ air strips which will be designated airports / air strips for Ministry of Emergency Situations, recently airport in Stepanavan has been passed to MoEs. However at this stage both runway and building has to be completely renovated. 

The executive state authority, administrating civil aviation in the Republic of Armenia is General Department of Civil Aviation (GDCA). The GDCA supervises aviation services and aviation infrastructures that operate in the Republic of Armenia, as well as introduces consultancy and suggestions on the state policies in the aviation sector to the Government of the Republic of Armenia 

The main objectives and functions of GDCA are: 

• Realization of the state administration in civil aviation and non-military state aviation 
• Preparation, development and negotiation of the principles of the state policies related to the rights of internal and international air navigation, as well as of international agreements referring to these rights and submission to the Government of the Republic of Armenia for approval 
• Definition, regulation and monitoring of the civil aviation activities, including the operation of airports and navigation services, as well as of the safety and operational requirements of ground equipment and various services in the sphere of aviation to ensure their compliance to the requirements of the legislation and the International Agreements of the Republic of Armenia. 
• Realization of control and monitoring of the operators of the civil aviation, as well as of the activities and provided services and their quality, the flight and aviation safety to ensure their permanent compliance with the current requirements of the Legislation of the Republic of Armenia 
• Regulation of the air traffic services, as well as aeronautical communication and aeronautical information services of the civil aviation in peacetime in compliance with the present Law 
• Development, approval and introduction in the field of civil aviation of the regulations ensuring fulfilment of the requirements of the International Agreements of the Republic of Armenia, Legislation of the Republic of Armenia, and the documents of the international aviation organizations, if the latter refer, or may refer to the objectives of military aviation, coordinating these activities with the Authorized State Government Body in the sphere of protection 
• In compliance with law, to issue corresponding certificates, licenses, and permits for all aviation activities; organization of corresponding examinations, tests and monitoring activities with involvement of corresponding experts as needed 
• Expert investigations of aviation accidents and incidents in the sphere of civil aviation (accidents and incidents investigation); analysis of the existing ideas on safety (security) issues and provision of the corresponding information to the providers of aviation services aimed at prevention of accidents in future 
• Introduction and implementation of the Republic of Armenia National Program for aviation security 
• Coordination of search and rescue services in case of the aircraft accidents, which did not cause secondary consequences 
• Collection, analysis and evaluation of statistical data on financial and production activities of aircraft and airport operators in the civil aviation sector 
• Bringing to administrative account the responsible persons for violation of the rules and regulations of flight and aviation safety in the sphere of civil aviation. 
• Implementation of other goals reserved to it under the Republic of Armenia legislation 
• General Department of Civil Aviation may realize the control of the aviation services and the infrastructure stipulated by the Concession Agreement only over the realization of safety and security requirements of ICAO and other international organizations to which the Republic of Armenia is a partner 
• Inspections with regard to the Concessionaires are realized only over the compliance of safety and security requirements of ICAO and other international organizations to which the Republic of Armenia is a partner. 

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft 

Single non-scheduled flight may be operated to/from the Republic of Armenia upon permission granted by General Department of Civil Aviation (GDCA). To operate a single non-scheduled air service the aircraft operator at least 72 hours before the flight departure time shall submit to the GDCA an Application with attached necessary documents required for getting the permission. The Application for getting air traffic permission (single non-scheduled air transportation) shall include the following information: 

• name of the aircraft operator or the organization operating private flight, location, all numbers for communications; ICAO three-letter designator code of the aircraft operator and flight number; 
• State of registry of the aircraft; 
• Aircraft type, nationality and registration marks;
• Purpose of flight; 
• Route of the flight (entry and exit points) in the airspace of the Republic of Armenia; Departure aerodrome, arrival aerodrome in the Republic of Armenia, final aerodrome; Type of traffic (Passenger, cargo, combined); 
• Load of the aircraft (number of passengers, weight and nature of cargo); Date and time of the flight operation; 
• Standard equipment of the aircraft; 
• Form of payment for services and fees. In case of non cash payment, indicate the name of the bank and the account number; The following documents shall be attached to the Application; 
• copy of Air Operator Certificate with attached Annexes or special supplementary regulations on operations; 
• copy of permission (license) granted by the aeronautical authorities of the State of registration of the aircraft operator for operation of the route mentioned in the Application, if an issuance of such a document is prescribed by the legislation of this State; 
• copy of airworthiness certificate and registration certificates of the aircraft, intended for air transportation mentioned in the Application; 
• purpose of air transportation, data about the passengers (name, surname, citizenship and meeting party) and/or cargo (type of cargo, weight, nature, consignee and consignor) transported; 
• copies of insurance certificates for passengers, baggage, cargo, third party liabilities, intended for air transportation; 

NOTE: ALL COPIES OF ABOVE DOCUMENTS SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY THE NOTARY OR THE CEO OF THE AIRCRAFT OPERATOR. 

The GDCA may request additional documents or other information not specified in para above. The application shall be written in Armenian or Russian or English language. The application shall be made by the aircraft operator. 

The operator intending to perform non-scheduled flights to/from the Republic of Armenia shall submit application to GDCA for permission to carry out such operations not less than: for series of non-scheduled flights - 14 full working days, and, for a single non-scheduled flight - 72 hours prior to the intended time of operation. Applications for such permits shall be submitted to the General Department of Civil Aviation. 

Non-scheduled flights of foreign civil aircraft transiting the airspace of the Republic of Armenia without landing at the airports of the Republic of Armenia may be conducted without special permission. 

Armenia has a relatively well-developed road network, serving all areas of its economy with 257.6 km of roads per 1,000 km². Most of freight and passenger transport is made by road. The road network is 7,700 km long with 1,400 km of interstate roads, 2,520 km of regional roads and 3,780 km of local roads. Surface condition of these roads varies from excellent to fair, although all are passable. Many sections are dual carriageway. The southern half of the country is very mountainous and has only one single main road stretching from Vaik to Meghri on the Iranian border. Damage to this road due to an earthquake or landslide could severely affect transportation of supplies to the region. Secondary roads are in poor condition and local knowledge would be essential before dispatching any supplies along such routes. The average width of the main roads is from 6 to 8 m and the secondary roads up to around 5 m. The road surface is mainly asphalt. Most of the roads are open all year, however during the winter; the roads in the North (Shirak and Lori Marzes) and in the South (Synik) could be closed for shorter periods due to insufficient snow cleaning machinery. The heavy snow and fogs are mostly common from the end of January to the beginning of February 

From 1992 till nowadays road reconstruction and rehabilitation are one of main areas were government of Armenia is involved together with different international organizational and fund, such as World Bank and MCA (Millennium Challenges Account) and All Armenian Fund.  With help of these organizations all major roads and now even smaller road has been reconstructed and some portions even completely rebuilt. Such as recently built tunnel between roads Sevan-Dilijan let to bypass certain mount passes. Overall road maintenance relies on Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia. 

Distance Matrix 

Road Security 

Public Safety is of major concern to the Republic of Armenia established in National Security Strategy of the Republic of Armenia. High level political interest in improving road safety clearly exists in Armenia, with the ambition to achieve the good practice road safety levels found in Europe. Armenia is firmly committed to improving its safety performance. In December 2005, a Presidential decree formed a multi-agency Task Force to develop proposals to address traffic management and safety issues and to develop proposals to reform the provision of traffic safety management services provided by the traffic police. 

The vehicle fleet in Armenia is old (12 years on average) and of relatively poor safety quality, however at least 10,000 newer vehicles are imported annually. Armenia is experiencing rapid growth in motor vehicle ownership and use. In the last five years the motor vehicle fleet increased by 30%, while the traffic carried by road increased by 38% (freight) and 61% (passengers). This rapid motorization is causing traffic congestion in Yerevan and traffic collisions to increase rapidly across the country 

There have been insecurity incidents on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan mainly in areas of Tavush and Gegharkunik regions, with several incidents on road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan, which passes close to the border and military emplacements.

In the winter due to heavy snows some roads, especially road from Vanadzor to Yerevan and Yerevan to Kapan might be closed for one or two days, in winter all trucks have to have chains to drive through mountainous areas.

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits 

According to local legislation there are limits on certain axle loads:

• Single axle up to 10 mt
• Double axle up to 18 mt
• Triple axel up to 22 mt

Above these limits there are charges per km, which has to be paid at the border crossing, in case trucks are registered not in Armenia, and trucks registered in Armenia within 30 days.  

NOTE: For trucks crossing border, these charges are paid at the border to the customs office or at final destination before goods are released.

Road Class and Surface Conditions 

According to local legislation (Nº 112 dated, 12th Jan, 2008) there are 3 types of roads in Armenia. They are interstate, republican and regional 

Overview 

The Armenian railway network consists of 845 km electrified line, mostly single track according to 2008 info only around 500km is still in operational condition. Currently WFP is using railroad to import commodities from Georgian Port Poti/Batumi, segment of rail road is from Border Georgia /Armenia (rail station Ayrum) to Rail station Vanadzor. From 1999 to 2008 commodities were transported till rail station in Yerevan. 

All lines are electrified, electric power is 3kV DC. The area is mountainous, so several of the lines are heavily graded and have very narrow curves. The rail system is roughly configured as a "Y" and has lines radiating from a central point just south of Yerevan. 

The northeast branch roughly parallels Route M24 to Azerbaijan. About 85 percent of all goods used in Armenia are imported by rail, and prior to the conflict with Azerbaijan, most cargo came via this rail line. Closure of the line at the international border during the early 1990s caused disruption to the Armenian economy. The southern branch of the line extends south toward the Turkish border, where it turns southeast into Nakhichevan. The conflict with Azerbaijan has stopped service on this part of the rail system. 

From 1994 the operative portion of the country's rail lines was the northwest branch of the "Y," which winds through the populated areas of north western Armenia before crossing into Georgia. A short spur of this line at Gyumri connects with the Turkish rail system. However, a difference in gauge with the Turkish system means that goods crossing the Turkish border must undergo a time-consuming reloading process. 

In 2007 the Russian Railways RZD won the tender to operate the Armenian railways for at least 30 years, for which the name South Caucasus Railway South Caucasus Railways (SCR) has officially started business operations under a concession agreement to manage Armenian Railways CJSC (ARM). In this connection, by 1 June 2008, SCR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Russian Railways RZD, received property owned by Armenian Railways consisting of 2,000 freight wagons, 58 passenger coaches, 85 locomotives and 30 electric trains 

A feasibility study is under way into the building of a 316 km single-track electrified railway linking the existing network with Gavar and the Iranian border at Meghri, replacing a disused line which passes through the Azerbaijani exclave of Naxcivan. 

Railway Companies and Consortia 

For information on Armenia Railway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Armenia Government Contact List

There are not any significant waterways in Armenia. As per the map, there are only two rivers which run through mountains and are not navigable. 

With recent business activities and finalization of the privatization process, all possibly available storage buildings have been completely occupied, especially in Yerevan. The majority are used as storage area for companies' own needs and commercial renting of storage space as a separate entity is very limited. 

It is difficult to find good storage with rail road access, especially for short term rent. Nowadays, some storage space is available in the north part of Armenia in the towns of Vanadzor and Gyumri. As a rule, almost all available storage area needs renovation. One of the recently built warehouse complexes is located in Gyumri; however, this warehouse currently does not have rail connection with the rail station. The branch was disassembled back in 1992. The approximate price per square meter per month is from 400 AMD (US$0.90) up to 800 AMD (US$ 1.95). The price varies from duration, railroad branch and etc. 

Storage in Sayunik and Vaoyts Dzor Provinces

The following sections provide information on storage throughout Armenia. 

Commercial Storage