Iran and Iraq agree deal to launch joint shipping line

31 Jan 2012 - Port Planning, Shipping

• Shipping line will help enhance countries maritime cooperation, says Iranian official

Iran and Iraq have reached an agreement for the launch of a new joint shipping line, according to the Managing-Director of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), Seyed Ataollah Sadr.

Sadr told FNA that the shipping line would help to enhance the countries marine cooperation, which could result in a joint maritime committee being established in Tehran and Baghdad in the near future.

“Iran can have desirable cooperation in maritime and port fields with the friendly and brotherly country of Iraq,” added Sadr.

The two countries recently signed a number of bilateral agreements which coincided with the visit to Iran of Iraq’s Transportation Minister Hadi Farhan al-Amiri's, according to FNA.

“On the sidelines of a recent meeting (between the Iranian and Iraqi road and transportation ministers), the two sides agreed to set up joint transportation companies,” Iranian Deputy Minister of Road and Urbanization Shahriyar Afandizadeh told FNA.

He added that he hoped the agreements would not only further facilitate transportation between the Gulf States now but well into the future.