Iran aims to expand port capacity to 630 mln tons by 2025

Iranian authorities say they have plans to expand the country’s port capacity to 630 million metric tons per year by 2025.

“Based on long-term studies for period to (Iranian year) 1404, increase in the country’s port capacity has been forecasted to top 630 million tons,” said Mohammad Reza Allahyar, deputy for infrastructure development at Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) on Monday.

Allahyar said plans are in place to build out and set up ports in southeastern Iran where large ships could be accommodated in modern facilities.

He said there is a tough competition between countries in the region to modernize and expand ports, adding that Iran would spare no efforts to increase port capacity to keep up with its economic growth.

The southeastern port of Chabahar on the Sea of Oman is currently the focus of Iran’s port development activities. The area is expected to become a major hub of trade between the Indian Ocean and landlocked countries to Iran’s east and northeast.

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However, Iranian government is planning a second major port in its so-called Mokran coastline which spans to east of the Persian Gulf.

The new port would become one of Iran’s largest with huge infrastructure capable of accommodating large container vessels.

Allahyar said initial studies for the port have been concluded and authorities would allocate land for the project in the near future.

The official said full construction for the port would take nearly 20 years beginning 2025 or 2026, although he insisted that a first phase of the project will become operational by 2032.

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