Iran Expresses Satisfaction Over Indians’ Performance in Chabahar

IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK

TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Mohammad Rastad says Indians’ performance in Chabahar Port has been satisfactory, adding he anticipates a good horizon for bilateral cooperation in the future.

In an interview, Mr. Rastad talked about the performance and output of the ports in the current year, saying that some 70m tons of goods have been loaded and unloaded in the national ports since the beginning of the year.

He then highlighted major programs and the goals of the organization, reiterating that turning the traditional and old fleet of Iran’s marine into a modern and trustable fleet is the priority of the organization.

He also announced the first batch strategic equipment of Indians in Chabahar Port will arrive by the yearend, noting that the current contract of Indians is a temporary exploitation and then, the BOT agreement will be taken into consideration which is mainly for the supply of strategic port equipment and according to this agreement, the first batch of equipment will arrive in the country and will be exploited by the yearend.

He added that this port operator has caused the Indian Government to consider a 40 percent discount for carrying goods from Indian ports to Chahbahar port or vice versa for shipping lines, transit of goods, exporters and importers. He reiterated that the organization is fully satisfied with the activities of Indians in Chabahar.

On developing Makran and Chabahar Port coasts, he said by completing the first phase of development of Chabahar Port, its capacity will increase to 8m tons and one of the most modern container and multifunctional terminals of the region will be set up which includes new wharfs, equipment with  capability for docking the 100,000-ton vessels.

Rastad said receiving big ships is very important and Chabahar enjoys very good condition in this regard and this year comparing to the preceding year, it has experienced 90 percent growth in load and unload of non-oil goods.

He then noted that since load and unload of goods is very important for ports, the organization has started plans for renovating the infrastructure for load and unload of goods, adding that so far since the beginning of the year, 70m tons of goods have been loaded and unloaded, reiterating that the existing goods stored in the warehouses of the ports is around 7.5m tons of which 3.5m tons is basic goods and 4m tons is other commodities.

Rastad went on to say that PMO is focused on the domestic capabilities and almost all of its needs are met by the domestic manufacturers and producers. He said some 760 needed parts for marine and port equipment have been provided by the domestic producers and PMO has ordered building of 83 vessels to the domestic producers which is a long step in support of domestic capability.

He added that by smartization of ports, traditional ports will turn into modern ones and the pace of loading and unloading will speed up.