TEHRAN – The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has stressed the importance of the commercial maritime fleet for the country’s economy, calling for the development of the mentioned fleet in the country, Maritime News Agency (MANA) reported.

“Considering the necessity of development in the shipping fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran, if the development of the maritime sector is not pursued, in the next ten years 70 percent of the country's international fleet will not be able to travel in the developed ports of the world,” Mohammadreza Modares Khiabani said in a conference on Sunday.

He further said that the IRISL is one of the oldest companies in the field of maritime transportation in the country with a history of 56 years.

EF/MA