The National Iranian Tanker Company has signed deals with a growing number of European companies for leasing its oil vessels, says Sirous Kianersi, NITC's managing director.
"We have signed 35 tanker-leasing contracts with European companies such as Spain's Cepsa and Italy's Eni as well as with Greek and Dutch firms," Kianersi was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency on Friday.
"The contracts have been signed for spot delivery of Iranian oil cargo," he noted, adding that more vessels are expected to be leased to foreign firms as Iran looks to reassert its presence in the European oil market.
NITC operates one of the world's largest tanker fleet ahead of regional rival Saudi Arabia as well as Qatar, Oman and the UAE, according to the United Nations' 2015 Maritime Transport report.
Reportedly, Iran has 42 very large crude carriers, nine Suezmaxes, five Aframaxes and several other ships, with the fleet’s average age at around 8.5 years.
According to Kianersi, NITC tankers and supertankers frequently berth at international ports, including in Russia, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Turkey and the UAE.
Earlier this month, the official said that a NITC-owned tanker which was leased to a major Spanish company recently docked at the country's Port of Algeciras, marking the first time that a NITC-owned vessel docked at a European terminal after the lifting of sanctions in January 2016.
According to reports, two NITC tankers are expected to dock at terminals in the Netherlands in the near future.
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