Deputy Managing Director of the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) for Port Affairs and Special Zones Jalil Eslami described the latest status of investments in the Iranian ports; “in addition to ports, hinterlands need to be extended as well in order to highlight the role of ports in the region boosting maritime transport.”
“Certain projects have been defined to attract the required investment in this regard,” he added.
Eslami underlined that the projects will be in accordance with the conditions, needs and capabilities and will be implemented on the basis of comprehensive plans; “some programs are at the study stage while others have begun operation.”
“We are seeking to stimulate investment in this section though some contracts are signed every year with the private sector to make investments in the hinterland and logistics of ports,” noted the official.
Stressing that the volume of investment reached two billion dollars in the last Iranian calendar year, Eslami estimated continuation of the process adding “to this end, the intended plans in need of investment have been identified in Iranian ports which provides the necessary conditions for foreign investors wherever possible.”
“So far, some international companies have announced readiness and negotiations are being conducted,” he reported.
Referring to the status of the country’s ports and their capacity development, the official said “the current capacity of the ports is 200 million tons while the maximum capacity of ports which has been exploited in recent years has been about 160 million tons.”
“About 50 to 55 per cent of Iran’s port operations are carried out in Shahid Rajaee Port,” maintained Eslami concluding “in case of increased international trade, certain measures must be taken in majority of Iranian ports including capacity building, developing the capacity of berthing as well as boosting loading of and unloading of goods.”
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