CMA CGM to Reinstate Iran as Port of Call
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Monday, July 27, 2015
The Marseille-based French company CMA CGM S.A has announced readiness to start operation in Iran on August 6.
CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest shipping line in terms of container vessel capacity, will add Shahid Rajaei port in Iran to its Asia-Europe loop.
Ebrahim Idani, director general of Hormozgan Ports and Maritime Department, told local media that CMA CGM's 11,500 teu Andromeda is expected to call in August.
The French liner’s first priority is establishment of a shipping route to Iran and then make investment in the Islamic Republic’s maritime industry and development of ports, the Tasnim News Agency reported on Sunday quoting Jalil Eslami, the deputy director of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) for the ports affairs, as saying.
Shahid Rajaei port is located 23 km west of Bandar Abbas and is Iran’s most modern container terminal with 18 gantry cranes.
Other ocean carriers, such as Maersk Line and COSCO are expected to announce Iran calls soon.
U.S. sanctions barred IRISL fleet of about 170 vessels from sailing in international waters. They also prohibited international shipping companies from calling on Iranian ports.