News Reflection of Opening Qeshm Bunkering Project in Lloyd's List Website:

Iran’s IRISL Revives Europe Service and Expands Asia Services

THE Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, or IRISL, is reviving old routes and expanding to new ones as restrictions are lifted in the post-sanctions climate.

News ID: 72002

Date: 31 January 2017 - 10:07

IRISL has expanded its direct lines from the Persian Gulf to east Asia and it has also revived the Persian Gulf-Europe line, which was terminated at the sanctions era, the company’s managing director Mohammad Saeedi in a speech posted on the company’s website.

Attributing the expansion in services to the lifting of sanctions, Dr Saeedi said “Right now, we do not face any restrictions in international transportation, and IRISL could continue its activities everywhere just like any other shipping line.”

IRISL has a fleet of 156 vessels comprising containerships, bulkers and offshore support vessels. It also has 10 newbuildings on order, comprising ultra large container vessels and MR tankers, to be delivered over 2018 and 2019, according to VesselsValue data.

Cargo throughput has also been increasing following the lifting of sanctions, with 17 major world shipping lines calling regularly at Iranian ports.

He added that IRISL is co-operating Qeshm Free Zone authorities to increase the capacity of bunkering in the region by up to 500,000 tonnes. Qeshm is an Iranian island on the Strait of Hormuz just ahead of the Persian Gulf.

It remains to be seen if Iran’s ambitions takes some volumes away from Fujairah – the main bunkering port in the region.