90% of Iran’s Trade Is Done by Sea
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – The deputy head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization Jalil Eslami says almost 90 percent of Iran’s trade is done by the sea and maritime transportation and seafarers are center of this activity and task.
Speaking on the occasion of international Day of Seafarer, Jalili said that the slogan of International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the Day of Seafarer is “seafarers are key component of maritime industry”.
He added that the provision chain of world trade is a long chain where seafarers have essential role in it and the world trade marches ahead due to seafarers’ efforts.
Eslami went on to say that almost 90 percent of Iran’s trade is done by the sea and support of maritime transportation and seafarers have a significant responsibility on their shoulders.
He added that Iran has experience of holding maritime courses for 34 years and this is the 11th time that the country marks the Day of Seafarer.
He noted that over 20,000 maritime operations were carried out last year in the country’s trade ports for serving the vessels by seafarers.
Eslami added that over 16m maritime travelers enjoy marine services in south and north of Iran which are offered by sailors.
He said over 160m tons of goods have been loaded and unloaded in the ports where sailors have had great role in them.
Eslami reiterated that the country has some 130,000 registered sailors and the marine system needs new regulations and directives.
On the international front, he said the organization has several times submitted its protests to the IMO over the U.S. illegal pressures and threats.
Eslami noted that over 77,000 maritime documents have been issued by the organization for the seafarers and 600 training courses have been held and 40,000 people have attended the courses.
He further said the organization is to launch a think-tank by cooperation of seafarers soon in order that their problems and related issues to be resolved there.
Meanwhile in the ceremony, deputy head of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) said that unfortunately Iranian sailors have failed to show their capabilities internationally due to their passports and political reasons.
Captain Farshad Shahbaz said that seafarers need to have mastery over life skills, adding that in Iran one cannot find satisfied sailors as they take great woes with them from their houses to the sea.
He noted that unfortunately officials are not aware of the importance of Iran’s shipping line and oil tankers, adding that if the shipping line of ISIRL and oil tankers are not be able to continue their works, sanctions will bear fruit and the country will collapse.
Shahbaz reiterated that although seafarers get good salaries but being far from family ruins them and IRISL has tried to enliven incentives among seafarers by different means.
Meanwhile Head of Iran’s Port and Maritime Organization Mr. Mohammad Rastad said that although sanctions have created problems but the era of sanctions is transient and it will come to an end,
He said Iran’s maritime sector has good capacity which can serve the country.
