Port of Antwerp Meets with Iran
A delegation of petrochemical and shipping experts from Belgium’s Port of Antwerp visited Iran last week to re-establish shipping and commercial ties. Antwerp is the latest company to explore establishing ties with Iran in anticipation of the lifting of U.S. and E.U. sanctions.
The exploratory meetings were aimed at making official contacts with Iran’s various bodies. The meetings included officials from Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, the Islamic Republic Shipping line (IRSL), Iranian Customs and the Iranian investment Organization.
The meetings covered Iran’s ambitions in shipping and commerce and the role that the Port of Antwerp might play in attaining the Iranian objectives.
The meeting concluded with a visit to the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas. Shahid Rajee is the largest container port in Iran, which accounts for nearly half of Iranian shipping imports.
Port of Antwerp Authority Chairman Marc Van Peel said: “Up until 2010 Antwerp was the largest European port destination for Iranian cargoes. In the light of the recent nuclear agreement and the raising of economic sanctions, we wanted to let the Iranians know directly that Antwerp is still the ideal hub for reaching the European hinterland.”
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Maersk Line has also expressed interest in Iran, but is not expected to enter the market until sanctions are official lifted. Hanjin Shipping, Yang Ming and CMA CGM have added Bandar Abbas to their Asia-Middle East services. CMA CGM’s Andromeda was the first container ship to berth at the port in August with 11,500 TEU of containers.
Iran, which has fourth-largest oil reserve, currently produces about 2.8 million bpd. Iranian officials believe the nation can increase production by up to one million barrels per day within six months of sanctions being lifted.