TEHRAN - The Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) reported that 10,631,476 tons of basic commodities were unloaded at the ports of the country during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-Septemebr 22).

As reported, the unloading of basic goods in the ports of country during the six-month period indicates 10 percent rise year, on year.

As previously announced by the PMO, 21,517,788 tons of basic commodities were unloaded at the ports of the country during the 12 months of the previous Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2023 to March 19, 2024).

Wheat, barley, corn, soy, rice, sugar, and vegetable oil were the main products unloaded in the Iranian ports in this period, the organization said.

In this period, more than 624,000 tons of sugar and over 989,000 tons of vegetable oil were unloaded at the Iranian ports, the PMO noted, IRNA reported.

While Iran is combating the U.S. unilateral sanctions on its economy, the country’s ports as the major gates of exports and imports play a significant role in this battle. This role makes all-out support to ports and more development of them serious and vital.

Such necessity has led the government to define projects for more development of the ports and also take some measures to encourage investment making in ports, in addition to facilitating the loading and unloading of goods, especially basic commodities, there.

It is worth mentioning that Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization has defined a high number of projects to develop and improve the country’s ports, as the country aims to double the capacity of its ports in the course of five years.

According to the PMO, the capacity of the country's ports has increased from 180 million tons in the Iranian calendar year 1392 (ended in March 2014) to 250 million tons in 1399 (ended in March 2021).

MA