Regular shipping services between Iran and Africa will be launched on December 6, announced Deputy Commerce Minister for international affairs, Mehdi Ghazanfari. In an interview with MNA, Ghazanfari stated that the scheme was made operational through joint investment by Iran Trade Development Organization and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). "IRISL will operate from Bandar Abbas port to the east and south coast of Africa and from west and north coast of Africa back to Bandar Abbas with the aim of responding to the increasing demand for transporting non-oil goods to the continent and in line with government trade with Africa."
"According to the plan, vessels will ply between Bandar Abbas to the African ports of Mombasa (Kenya), Zanzibar (Tanzania) as well as Durban in South Africa," he said.
He added that on the return trip, the vessels will ply between Alexandria (Egypt), Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Freetown (Sierra Leone).
Referring to the costs incurred by shipping lines he added that IRISL will pay some expenses of these lines and Iranian exporters and importers will be given 10 percent discount.
IRISL is responsible for providing services and facilities to exporters and importers and transports over 22 million tons of cargo annually.
IRISL has 112 oceangoing vessels, three regional offices in Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East, offices in Italy, Britain, Germany, China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Libya, and South Africa, and over 110 certified representatives across the world.
Meanwhile, speaking at a seminar on Iran-Africa trade
opportunities, First Vice President Parviz Davoudi said the country plans to develop trade in technical and engineering, dam building, power transmission, and telecommunication fields with Africa.
Putting Iran transactions with Africa (excluding oil exports to South Africa) at $600 million annually, the official stated that trade rose by 60 percent this year compared to the figures for last year.
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