Iran’s major commercial ports have registered 20% growth in loading and unloading volume.
New data released by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development show the country’s 22 major southern and northern ports loaded and unloaded a total of 127.63 million tons of container freight, dry and liquid bulk commodities, general cargo and oil products during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2021-Jan. 20).
A total of 17.54 million tons of oil products and 38.81 million tons of non-oil goods were unloaded during the period, registering a 24% and 18% year-on-year increase respectively.
Overall, 56.36 million tons of commodities were unloaded at the ports under review, which shows a 20% YOY rise.
Loading of oil products stood at 30.71 million tons and non-oil goods 40.55 million tons, indicating a 34% and 11% rise respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year.
Overall, close to 71.27 million tons of oil and non-oil commodities were loaded, registering a 20% YOY growth.
Container throughput stood at 1.78 million TEUs to register an 18% increase compared with the similar period of last year.
During the corresponding 10-month period of last year, the ports’ throughput stood at 106.45 million tons with container loading and unloading standing at 1.5 million TEUs.
The 22 ports under survey include Iran’s southern ports of Abadan, Imam Khomeini, Bushehr, Khorramshahr, Genaveh, Bandar Lengeh, Chavibdeh, Arvandkenar, Charak and Dayyer located on the Persian Gulf shores, Shahid Rajaee, Shahid Bahonar, Shahid Haqqani, Qeshm and Tiab at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, Jask and Chabahar on the coasts of the Sea of Oman and the northern ports of Fereydounkenar, Nowshahr, Astara, Amirabad and Anzali on the Caspian Sea shoreline.
Shahid Rajaee Special Economic Zone, located in Hormozgan Province, accounts for the highest share of all goods exported from and imported to Iran.
The economic zone, which has a loading/unloading capacity of 100 million tons per year, accounts for over half of Iran's trade and about two-thirds of total freight transit through the country.
The lion’s share of Iran's containers are handled in Shahid Rajaee Port Complex.
With 18 gantry cranes and 40 berths, Rajaee is the most advanced container port of Iran.
Launched in 1985, the port has expanded every year. Today it is connected to 80 ports worldwide.
The significance of this port lies in its large capacity, including its location in the Persian Gulf, container terminal, fuel bunkering, access to 24 kilometers of railroads and round-the-clock truck transportation.
In terms of transit, again Shahid Rajaee Special Economic Zone tops the list of Iranian customs terminals.
27% Rise in Essential Goods Throughput
A total of 22.16 million tons of essential goods were unloaded in Iranian ports during the period under review, showing a 27% rise compared with the similar period of last year when the figure stood at 17.45 million tons, the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development’s data also show.
A total of 5.42 million tons of wheat were handled at Iran’s commercial ports over the period, indicating a 74% YOY rise.
A total of 2.69 million tons of barley and 3.93 tons of soybeans were unloaded, registering a 113% and 34% YOY increase respectively.
A total of 1.47 million tons of unrefined vegetable oils and 198,378 tons of rice were handled at the country’s ports, showing an 88% and 9% rise compared with the corresponding period of last year.
Imports of corn and sugar saw a YOY decline of 8% each to stand at 7.46 million tons and 1.47 million tons respectively.
Alireza Moqaddesi, caretaker of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, says one of the priorities of President Ebrahim Raisi’s government is the non-stop supply of essential goods to the domestic market.
IRICA needs permits from different bodies, such as the ministries of agriculture; industries, mining and trade; and the Central Bank of Iran, to allow imported goods to undergo clearance. The government is taking measures to ease imports and step up customs procedures.
Also known as necessity or basic goods, essential goods are products consumers will buy, regardless of changes in income levels.
The southern Imam Khomeini port is the main gateway for the import of essential goods to Iran.
The lion’s share of the country’s demand for livestock feed raw material and grains is imported through this southern port. Imam Khomeini is Iran’s second busiest port after Shahid Rajaee in Hormozgan Province.
The port boasts 40 wharfs, 140 kilometers of railroads within its premises and the latest loading and unloading facilities.
