A large crude carrier with a capacity of 50 million liters of diesel has docked at Chabahar’s Oil Terminal on the Sea of Oman, a senior official at the National Iranian Oil Production and Distribution Company said.
“The giant tanker, which has berthed at Pier 5 of Shahid Beheshti Port, is the largest crude vessel entering Chabahar ever,” Shahram Rezaei, NIOPDC’s director for planning, was quoted as saying by Shana. The official added that Pier 5 has been built in line with the government’s push to boost the southern ports’ operational oil capacity. Rezaei noted that the loading infrastructure at Pier 5 has a higher capacity compared with that of Pier 2, which was formerly used for berthing oil tankers.
"Pier 5 is equipped with two 16-inch pipelines while only one pipeline with the same diameter is running through Pier 2," he said, adding that the new pier has a wider draft, making it possible for VLCCs to berth.
Oil Storage Boost
The official further said plans are also underway to increase Chabahar's oil storage capacity to address difficulties in loading and unloading petroleum products in the strategic port.
"So far, two storage tanks have been built at the port," he added.
Rezaei noted that besides Pier 5, construction of a multi-functional pier at the port and the respective pipelines is on the agenda. The pier will reportedly include huge loading arms that can berth fuel carriers with a capacity of 50,000 tons.
"The cost of the mega project has been assessed and the plan awaits the final approval," he said. Chabahar is one of Iran’s strategic and important ports located on the transit route between Afghanistan and other Central Asian states as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States. It is closest to the Sea of Oman and Persian Gulf, which plays a very important role in the region’s trade and economy.
The launch of the first phase (out of five phases defined for the project) has tripled its capacity to 8.5 million tons (equal to that of all the northern ports of the country) and will allow the docking of VLCCs (100,000-120,000 DWT).
