In a bid to prepare for wider trade in a post-sanction era, 11 of the world’s leading shipping companies have established offices in Shahid Rajaee Port in the southern city of Bandar Abbas, Iran – a key port in the country which has a total capacity of six million TEU, according to Press TV.
Iran’s trade potential was noted after key economic sanctions were lifted as a result of an historic agreement that was reached between Iran and world leaders, a decision which has ultimately led to the proposed construction of a mega-port in the country.
Mohammad Saeidnejad, President of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, said: “As a result of sanctions [that have been imposed on Iran], the ships that were to enter Iran’s territorial waters had to change their routes and deliver their cargoes to a third port in one of the Persian Gulf countries. Their cargoes would then be loaded [on separate ships] and sent to Iran.”
Among the shipping companies to have eyed opportunities in Iran are Maersk, who are planning to invest through their four core business areas.
Shipping company MSC have also expressed a desire to invest in the country, having paid a visit recently, at the same time as global port operator DP World, to assess opportunities for expansion.
India is also following through with plans to build a port in Chabahar, Iran.
