TEHRAN: PMO head, while stressing significance of renovation in the country’s naval fleet, said Phase one of Chabahr port will become operational in three months. Addressing the 14th Trans Middle East 2017 Exhibition and Conference, Mohammad Saeidnejad said the government would undertake procurement for the maritime sector while hinterland development and relevant financing had to be done by the private sector. He underlined that partnership of giant and credible international firms in development of Iranian ports could form an appropriate market in the field; “as such, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) would welcome participation of foreign investors in tenders for construction of phases one and two of Shahid Rajaee Port Complex.” “One main axis of the Sixth National Development Plan marks promotion of technology as well as transformation and modernization of the country’s naval fleet,” he continued. Saeidnejad noted that great measures had been taken for supply of equipment and expansion of ports as evidenced by arrival of some purchased equipment on Monday.
The official highlighted that PMO intended to attract foreign investors to northern ports in addition to southern ones since the Caspian Sea could also play an important role in goods transit and promotion of the country’s trade for its proximity to five neighboring countries. PMO managing director expressed hope that in addition to signing joint agreements with the five northern countries, bilateral and international alliances will be also formed. Later into his speech, Mohammad Saeidnejad pointed to importance of safety promotion adding “PMO maintains compliance to international conventions while also paying due attention to rights of coastal citizens.” “Sanction years took away numerous opportunities to attract foreign investment for development and procurement of ports,” recalled the official commenting “restrictions were removed once the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was inked and foreign investors are actively participating in the country’s ports.”
