Two Iranian-made catamarans are set to operate between Iran’s Khorramshahr and Iraq’s Basra ports, in a bid to attract more tourists to Arvand Free Trade Zone.
Both catamarans have been ordered from Arvandan Shipbuilding Company.
“The first one is set to be launched in two months and the second one will be delivered next year,” Jaber Nahieh, the investor of the project, told Mana News Agency.
He added that Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran has financed 80% of the $12-million order.
Private sector firms have also enhanced the wharfs in both ports.
Arvand FTZ is located on the northern tip of the Persian Gulf and covers the major cities of Khorramshahr and Abadan in Khuzestan Province.
So far, marine tours in Abadan and Khorramshahr were limited to ferry trips in the coastal waters and Arvand islands.
However, the catamarans are scheduled to provide recreational services for tourists all year round, said the head of Khuzestan Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Alireza Izadi.
“Promoting tourism can boost Arvand’s economy and create new jobs for the residents,” he noted.
Special Privilege
Arvand’s special privilege is that foreigners entering the FTZ from Iraqi border need no visa.
More than 360,000 marine tourists traveled to the area during Nowruz holidays in late March and early April, marking a 67% increase in comparison with the same period last year, the local authorities said.
During the last Iranian year, which ended on March 20, about 180,000 foreign tourists visited Abadan and Khorramshahr about 90% of whom were from Iraq, the managing director of the Arvand Free Trade Zone had announced earlier in May.
