MSC paid a visit to Iran last week to assess opportunities for expansion, with Maersk looking to invest in Iran through its four main areas of business interest, including container transport and port operations, according to Hellenic Shipping News.
Global port and terminal operator DP World also visited the country, however, its plans are still ambiguous.
MSC's 2M partner Maersk has recently announced that its port operating arm, APMT, is looking to purchase two of Greece’s largest ports.
Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, has said that the country is expecting to finalise around US$185 billion worth of deals in the next decade.
Nematzadeh said: “We are looking for trade that goes both ways and cooperation in development, design and technique. We are no longer interested in a one-way import of commodities and machinery from Europe.”
Iran is currently restricted by a range of sanctions but Maersk hopes that its company can benefit from Iran’s potential, which various EU officials have said will be gradually lifted.
Iran is also working on its Chabahar Port project, which is being developed by India, with the US warning that India should not go ahead with the initial plan.
