Reporting on the recent developments in the maritime sector in line with the policies for sustainable sea-based economy, Iran Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash, said upon operation of Makran Port, which is currently under construction, the container capacity of Iran increases by 200 million tons.

Only in one and a half year, in Shahid Rajaei Port, the unloading and loading capacity has increased by more than 20%, and due to simultaneous investments of the government in the development of large and small ports, the unloading and loading capacity of Iran’s ports are about 300 million tons, Bazrpash informed.

During 11 months (from March 2023 to January 2024), the sea trade in Iran has grown by more than 9%, sea transit by 34%, and passenger arrival from sea borders by 10%, Bazrpash mentioned.

According to the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, in addition to developing and increasing the capacity of large ports such as Shahid Rajaei, Imam Khomeini, and Shahid Beheshti, the Government is also investing in small ports as Khamir, Sirik, Arvand Kenar, and Abu Musa Ports have been put into operation, and Genaveh, Deir and Kangan Ports are also in the final stages of construction and operation.

The increase in capacity of the sea cargo and passenger are the result of more than 500,000 billion IRR of the private sector’s investments, along with the government’s investments. Currently, only in the completion of the first phase of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar, 81000 billion IRR are invested by the private sector investments, and there is a tender for the implementation of the second phase of this Port, according to the Minister of Roads and Urban Development.

Bazarpash also informed about the construction of one-million-ton grain silos, a 30% increase in mechanized grain vacuums, which accelerate the loading and unloading, and also placing order to domestic companies for the construction of 40 marine vessels amounting to more than $ 120 million. He further added that: “all indicators in the marine trade show a significant growth”.

Noteworthy, the loading and unloading of petroleum and non-petroleum goods in the Special Economic Zone of Imam Khomeini Port in the last 11 months exceeded 42,500,000 tons, which has increased by three percent compared to the same period in the last year.

MNA