Iran Shipping Lines
Encyclopedia
The maritime fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL Group) comprises 115 ocean-going vessels with the total capacity of . The ownership structure of the fleet comprises 87 ocean-going vessels in IRISL and 28 different types of ships under the flag of subsidiaries, including Khazar Shipping, Valfajr as well as Iran-India Shipping Companies. They are manned by 6,000 Iranian personnel including shore staff, master
s, deck and engine officers as well as ratings, who work under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Caspian Sea
, Persian Gulf
, international waters and various ports of the world.
Aria Shipping started its activity in 1967 by two small size vessels with capacity of 1000 and 1550 tones in Persian Gulf area and 4 ocean going vessels, namely, Aria Sep, Aria Far, Aria Naz and Aria Gaam with the total capacity of 61,252 tones that had been put into service between the Persian gulf-Europe, Asia and America. By the end of 1978 the number of Aria shipping vessels was 42 with the total capacity of 525,000 DWT which proved the increasing of the sea transportation volume by Aria shipping lines and its effective role in Iran economy.
After the Islamic Revolution and change of economical and political policy on January 5, 1979, the authority renamed the Aria Shipping to Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and affiliated the company to the ministry of commerce.
During the Iran Iraq War, numerous vessels such as Aria Boom, Aria Jahan, Aria Shaad, Aria Omid, became total losses due to missile attacks, as a result of which, the IRISL suffered dearly. After this period, the names of all the vessels were changed to those of martyrs and cities - with the prefix "IRAN".
However since American sanctions (over Iran's support for various groups and nuclear program) have begun to hinder IRISL has taken to quickly renaming its ships under shell companies in order to continue trading in banned goods.
has 140 member states with Iran ranking among the top 20. Iran plans to add 16 cargo ships to its naval fleet by mid-March 2010 to increase the total capacity to 5.8 million deadweight tons. The number of cargo ships in 2009 has reached 154, from 138 in 2008. in 2011, It was the biggest fleet in the Middle East
with about 170 vessels.
Marine transport is greatly dependent on auxiliary capacities and facilities including ports, roads, railroad and so on. Therefore, the port and shipping organization of Iran agreed to award management contracts for operations of container terminals in Bandar Khorramshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini to a subsidiary of IRISL (IRISL Port) in 2004. In addition, according to an agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
, a joint company was established to launch an express container line from southern Iranian ports to major destinations inside the country, as well as to CIS
countries. These measures were in line with the long-term policy of the government to develop the transit sector and activate North-South Transit Corridor. All port terminals are currently run by private companies.
bulk carrier
s and 10 Handymax
bulk carriers with the capacity of have been finalized with Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co
. (ISOICO) and SADRA shipyards respectively and if the prices are finalized, total value of contracts signed with domestic shipyards will surpass $600 million.
To support domestic industries, manufacturing containers inside the country has been encouraged. The first such contract, worth $10 million, was signed in 2001. It called for the production of worth of containers and, so far, 1,600 containers have been delivered. As per IRISL's director, Iran needs to purchase or build 40 vessels by 2009. Over the next two decades, Iran would also need 500 new ships, including 120 oil tankers, 40 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and over 300 commercial vessels. In 2009, in a move aimed at further enhancing Iran's shipbuilding industry, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he will ban the purchase of foreign ships by Iranian organizations. Moreover, various kinds of industrial lubricants have been produced by Pars Oil Company
as well as Behran Oil Company
and, at present, about 70% of the lubricant needed by the fleet is supplied domestically.
In October 2006, a new company has been established in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas to repair various types of ocean liners. According to ISNA
, the Bandar Abbas Pars Ship Repairing Company has been formed jointly by IRISL and ISOICO
. The plant has the capacity to carry out maintenance works on large vessels with 500,000-ton capacity.
In addition, profitability of the company has been on the rise despite elimination of state subsidies as a result of adopting a cost management, planned maintenance strategy, so that, the company’s net loss which amounted to $15 million in 1999 has been turned around to more than $150 million profits during the 2003-2004 fiscal year. According to the article 44(C) of the Iranian Constitution, IRISL is ready for privatization.
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
s, deck and engine officers as well as ratings, who work under the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
, Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, international waters and various ports of the world.
History
Due to the increase in the volume of imports into Iran since early 1960, consequence of which was to employ many foreign flag vessels to trade within Iranian ports caused some concerns to the country. In addition, the need and importance of a regular carriage of goods by sea and considering peculiar geographical characteristic, accessibility to open seas, with having had long water boundary and water ways to and from Iran made the necessity in initiating a research study to establish the first and biggest integrated national shipping lines. The result of the research study, which was started in 1961, was approved by the first general assembly meeting to establish Iranian National Shipping Company on August 1967 with the name of Aria Shipping Lines.Aria Shipping started its activity in 1967 by two small size vessels with capacity of 1000 and 1550 tones in Persian Gulf area and 4 ocean going vessels, namely, Aria Sep, Aria Far, Aria Naz and Aria Gaam with the total capacity of 61,252 tones that had been put into service between the Persian gulf-Europe, Asia and America. By the end of 1978 the number of Aria shipping vessels was 42 with the total capacity of 525,000 DWT which proved the increasing of the sea transportation volume by Aria shipping lines and its effective role in Iran economy.
After the Islamic Revolution and change of economical and political policy on January 5, 1979, the authority renamed the Aria Shipping to Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and affiliated the company to the ministry of commerce.
During the Iran Iraq War, numerous vessels such as Aria Boom, Aria Jahan, Aria Shaad, Aria Omid, became total losses due to missile attacks, as a result of which, the IRISL suffered dearly. After this period, the names of all the vessels were changed to those of martyrs and cities - with the prefix "IRAN".
However since American sanctions (over Iran's support for various groups and nuclear program) have begun to hinder IRISL has taken to quickly renaming its ships under shell companies in order to continue trading in banned goods.
Fleet
The International Maritime OrganizationInternational Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
has 140 member states with Iran ranking among the top 20. Iran plans to add 16 cargo ships to its naval fleet by mid-March 2010 to increase the total capacity to 5.8 million deadweight tons. The number of cargo ships in 2009 has reached 154, from 138 in 2008. in 2011, It was the biggest fleet in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
with about 170 vessels.
Ports and shipping organization
The Ports and shipping organization is a government agency under the authority of the Ministry of Roads and Transportation, with responsibility for supervising maritime trade and the operation of commercial ports and shipping in Iranian waters.Marine transport is greatly dependent on auxiliary capacities and facilities including ports, roads, railroad and so on. Therefore, the port and shipping organization of Iran agreed to award management contracts for operations of container terminals in Bandar Khorramshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini to a subsidiary of IRISL (IRISL Port) in 2004. In addition, according to an agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways is the national state-owned railway system of Iran. is an associate of the IR and manages its passenger trains including international trains between Tehran and Istanbul and Tehran and Damascus...
, a joint company was established to launch an express container line from southern Iranian ports to major destinations inside the country, as well as to CIS
Commonwealth of Independent States
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
countries. These measures were in line with the long-term policy of the government to develop the transit sector and activate North-South Transit Corridor. All port terminals are currently run by private companies.
Development
Negotiations for building six PanamaxPanamax
Panamax and New Panamax are popular terms for the size limits for ships traveling through the Panama Canal. Formally, the limits and requirements are published by the Panama Canal Authority titled "Vessel Requirements"...
bulk carrier
Bulk carrier
A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,...
s and 10 Handymax
Handymax
Handymax and Supramax are naval architecture terms for a bulk carrier,in a series that is called Handysize class. Handysize class consists of Supramax , Handymax , and Handy Handymax and Supramax are naval architecture terms for a bulk carrier,in a series that is called Handysize class. Handysize...
bulk carriers with the capacity of have been finalized with Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co
ISOICO
Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co is an Iranian ship yard, located in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz lat/lon: 27°03' N , 57°58' E , active as shipbuilder and ship-repairer of different types of vessels and offshore structures...
. (ISOICO) and SADRA shipyards respectively and if the prices are finalized, total value of contracts signed with domestic shipyards will surpass $600 million.
To support domestic industries, manufacturing containers inside the country has been encouraged. The first such contract, worth $10 million, was signed in 2001. It called for the production of worth of containers and, so far, 1,600 containers have been delivered. As per IRISL's director, Iran needs to purchase or build 40 vessels by 2009. Over the next two decades, Iran would also need 500 new ships, including 120 oil tankers, 40 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and over 300 commercial vessels. In 2009, in a move aimed at further enhancing Iran's shipbuilding industry, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he will ban the purchase of foreign ships by Iranian organizations. Moreover, various kinds of industrial lubricants have been produced by Pars Oil Company
Pars Oil Company
-History and development:Pars Oil Company was founded in 1959 as a Joint Stocks Company by Abdol-Ali Mirza Farmanfarmaian and some of his relatives, later adding more stock holders. Later it was admitted to Tehran Stock Exchange in 1962...
as well as Behran Oil Company
Behran Oil Company
-History and development:Behran Oil Company was founded in 1963 as a private joint venture with Exxon Company in Iran. The first products of the company were just packing and blending engine oils. The company became independent after the Islamic Revolution...
and, at present, about 70% of the lubricant needed by the fleet is supplied domestically.
In October 2006, a new company has been established in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas to repair various types of ocean liners. According to ISNA
Iranian Students' News Agency
The Iranian Students News Agency is a news organization run by Iranian university students. Established on November 4, 1999 in order to report on news from Iranian universities it now covers a variety of national and international topics. Editors and correspondents are themselves students in a...
, the Bandar Abbas Pars Ship Repairing Company has been formed jointly by IRISL and ISOICO
ISOICO
Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co is an Iranian ship yard, located in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz lat/lon: 27°03' N , 57°58' E , active as shipbuilder and ship-repairer of different types of vessels and offshore structures...
. The plant has the capacity to carry out maintenance works on large vessels with 500,000-ton capacity.
In addition, profitability of the company has been on the rise despite elimination of state subsidies as a result of adopting a cost management, planned maintenance strategy, so that, the company’s net loss which amounted to $15 million in 1999 has been turned around to more than $150 million profits during the 2003-2004 fiscal year. According to the article 44(C) of the Iranian Constitution, IRISL is ready for privatization.
See also
- Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex CoISOICOIran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex Co is an Iranian ship yard, located in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz lat/lon: 27°03' N , 57°58' E , active as shipbuilder and ship-repairer of different types of vessels and offshore structures...
- SADRASADRASADRA also known as "Iran Marine Industrial Company" was founded in 1968 as a small ship repair yard in Bushehr. Since then, SADRA has established itself as the leading shipbuilding and shiprepairing company in Iran. SADRA is also active in offshore oil & gas development. SADRA specializes in...
- Transportation in Iran
- National Iranian Tanker CompanyNational Iranian Tanker CompanyNational Iranian Tanker Company is a subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company which was privatized in 2009. As at 2011, NITC was owned by funds managing pensions for 5 million Iranians. It is the biggest tanker company in the Middle East and 4th in the world...
- Current Iranian Navy vesselsCurrent Iranian Navy VesselsThis list reflects the state of the mainline Iranian Navy, and does not include the vessels of the Navy of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution.-Kilo:*SSK Kilo **Displacement: 4,000 tons submerged**Dimensions: 74 x 9.9 x 6.5 meters...
- International rankings of Iran
External links
- Official Website
- Iran Ports and Shipping Organization
- Iran Ports invest
- Maroos Shipping Company
- BMI - Iran Shipping Report - 2010 (86-page report on Iran Shipping industry)
- Iran Shipper Evades U.S. Blacklist - WSJ article about IRSL and sanctions against IranSanctions against IranThis article outlines economic, trade, scientific and military sanctions against Iran, which have been imposed by the U.S. government, or under U.S. pressure by the international community through the United Nations Security Council...