TEHRAN – The Geneva-based Swiss company, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC), which is the world’s second-largest shipping line in terms of container vessel capacity, has announced readiness to resume operation at Iranian ports.

Diego Aponte, the president and the chief executive officer of MSC, met in Tehran with Mohammad-Hossein Dajmar, the managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), expressing hope that with lifting of sanctions against Iran, the ground will be provided for returning to the Iranian market.

Aponte praised IRISL for its significant performance over the past seven years under tough international sanctions.

A final agreement was reached on Iran's nuclear program in the Austrian city of Vienna on July 24 after some 22 months of talks between Iran and the P5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).

International shipping lines are stepping up port calls to Iran as the country’s massive maritime trade sector is emerging from sanctions. 

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.  

Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi, however, said earlier this month that ships from eight major international transportation companies had started to dock at Iran’s southern ports.

Head of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) Mohammad Saeid-Nejad said he expected a surge in activities in the country’s shipping sector.
“Fortunately, the capabilities of Iranian maritime industries have significantly increased over the past years,” Saeid-Nejad said.