Ports operating non-stop despite sanctions, pandemic

As announced by the head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), loading and unloading of commodities are being conducted continuously at the ports of Iran while the health requirements are completely met.

Mohammad Rastad reiterated that all port operations are done observing healthcare protocols and the principles set by the Coronavirus Containment Headquarters.

Activities at Chabahar Port (Iran’s only oceanic port in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province), and Shahid Rajaee Port (Iran’s largest container port in southern Hormozgan Province) in the recent months prove and underline Iran’s outstanding performance under the difficult condition of the sanctions and the pandemic.

In a statement on Thursday, PMO declared that loading and unloading of commodities are underway continuously at the country’s ports.

While the enemy is trying to halt Iran’s exports and imports through imposing sanctions, operation at Iranian ports are underway without interruption as the result of the all-out efforts of the organization’s personnel, the statement reads.

Meanwhile, as the PMO head has announced, 11 new development projects with 59 trillion rials (over $1.4 billion) of investment are currently underway at the Iranian ports.

Not only the sanctions could not stop development activities at the ports of Iran, some new development projects have been also defined, Rastad has underscored.

The third phase of the development plan of Shahid Rajaee Port is one of the major projects which is going to go operational by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2021).

This phase will be able to accept ships with capacities of up to 18,400 TEUs.

While Iran is combating the U.S. unilateral sanctions on its economy, the country’s ports as the major gates of exports and imports play some significant role in this battle, and the ongoing operation at the ports indicates that they are playing their part perfectly.

As reported, loading and unloading of commodities at the ports of Iran have risen six percent during the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19).

Mentioning the round-the-clock activities at the ports, the PMO head has announced that over 54.85 million tons of commodities were loaded and unloaded during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-September 21), which is an indication of non-stop operation at the ports.

Development of marine transportation is emphasized under the new round of the sanctions, and despite all limitations, it’s been tried to continue the activities like before, so that those active in the economy sector will face no challenge, according to the official.