Managing Director of Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Mohammad Rastad announced the above statement and said “in recent two decades, Iran has always been considered among top 20 countries in the world in the field of maritime fleet.”
Speaking in the 3rd National Festival of “Sea, Path of Progress”, he said “considering the significant capacities of country in the maritime field, this issue should be taken into serious consideration.”
According to the latest measurement of Integrated Management Plan (IMP) of coastal areas, Iran is a country with 5,700-km beaches (including direct beaches, beaches around the islands and navigable rivers), all of which are plenty of opportunities.
Commercial ports are one of the most important parts in use of seawater capacities which are very helpful to the country’s economy and employment especially in coastal strip, he maintained.
He put the country’s current capacities of ports at over 217 million tons which is considered as a golden opportunity.
Fortunately, Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the forerunner countries in the field of shipping industry, he said, adding “in the last two decades, Iran has always been one of the top 20 countries in the world in terms of fleet navigation.”
IRISL, one of world’s most powerful companies
Elsewhere in his remarks, the deputy Minister of Roads and Transportation said: “National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is proud to announce that its fleet is the largest fleet in the world in terms of capacity, so that IRISL is one of the most powerful companies in the global arena. In addition, Iran has many small- and large active fleets.”
Today, Islamic Republic of Iran benefits from cooperation of more than 100,000 seamen who hold a Certificate and Competence according to the CCW (Certain Conventional Weapons) Convention, he said, adding “of total 100,000 seamen, 20,000 of whom have an unlimited access to the ocean-going fleet.”
Rastad reiterated “fortunately, fleet under the sovereignty of flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran has managed to meet its demand in the field of hiring foreign manpower in recent years. The measures taken by PMO greatly helped Iran to take membership in STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-Keeping) Convention.”
Turning to the conclusion of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with other countries in maritime field, he said “today, PMO has managed to ink several maritime contracts with world’s most prestigious maritime organizations.”
Fortunately, Iran has managed to develop infrastructures of its maritime industries in recent years, he said, adding “currently, PMO has been equipped with the most experienced manpower and engineers who are able to repair and overhaul vessels in the country.”
In the end, Managing Director of Ports and Maritime Organization Mohammad Rastad said “as a responsible body in the field of maritime in the nationwide, PMO is ready to support research activities in this field and we are seeking technologies that are being produced in the country. Today, environment-friendly maritime vessels is taken into serious consideration in the country.”
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