IRAN: First petchem shipment destined for Europe after 7 years

Iran exported the first consignment of petrochemical products to Europe after seven years, following lifting of sanctions against the country on 16 January 2016, said the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) Managing Director Mohammad Saeidi.

The official said that the shipment will arrive in European ports within the next few days, the Tasnim news agency reported. By removal of the sanctions from Iranian shipping lines, the ground is laid for the Iranian vessels to ship products to European ports, Saeidi stated.

Referring to the establishment of joint shipping companies in Germany and Italy to cover the northern and southern ports of Europe, the official said, “We are also planning to launch shipping lines to the ports in Latin America.” He put the number of IRISL fleet at 160 vessels with a total capacity of 5 million tons and said, “We are planning to develop the fleet.”

“In this regard, we are negotiating with 2 or 3 foreign delegations each week and we also consider strengthening of shipbuilding industry inside the country,” Saeidi added.

Source: Daily “The Tehran Times”, Tehran; 29 Feb 2016
(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)