Mahshahr Terminal Set for Expansion

Iran is building two new platforms for a wharf in the southern port city of Mahshahr in Khuzestan Province, deputy managing director of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said.

“The expansion of the wharf, which includes the construction of two new platforms that would enhance its loading and export capacity, will be completed in winter,” Shahrokh Khosravani was also quoted as saying by ISNA on Saturday.

Stressing that NIORDC is currently providing the project's infrastructure, Khosravani said without giving names that a contractor has been selected for the new platforms.

According to the report, upon adding two new platforms to the four previously built ones, the wharf’s loading/unloading capacity will reach 2 million tons a month from the current 1.4 million tons.

Under the plan, 8,000-ton vessels will be able to berth at the wharf.

Mahshahr Port was launched nearly 50 years ago and has since operated as one of the major Iranian ports and export terminals for petrochemicals and petroleum products. According to reports, part of the port's loading capacity went idle under sanctions due to constraints in reconstructing the terminal's infrastructure.

Khosravani said the development project is moving ahead at an acceptable pace, adding that the additional capacity of Mahshahr terminal will not be put to use immediately, as the capacity outweighs actual export volumes.

Data show that Iran exported 400,000 barrels daily, or 64 million liters per day, of oil byproducts to buyers in the Middle and the Far East in the previous fiscal year that ends on March 20.

Due to low demand in Europe, the company is now concentrating on boosting exports to Asian customers, especially China and India.    

According to reports, Iranian ports in the south, including Mahshahr, Asalouyeh, Lavan and Bandar Abbas, are operating at full capacity to ship oil derivatives, namely naphtha, diesel, bitumen, sulfur, liquefied petroleum gas and jet fuel.