Due to current regional status quo as well as reluctance of foreign shipping lines to ply in these waters, the role of Iran’s top shipping company has increased in the southern waters.

Turning to problems facing transit of goods via northern waters, the official noted that the condition is different in the Caspian Sea.

“The fleet operated by Khazar Sea Shipping Lines, a member of IRISL group, is unable to compete with foreign companies active in the Caspian Sea,“ he was quoted by Iran as saying.

The company provides marine transportation services in the Caspian Sea. Its fleet runs regular services from Bandar Anzali, Nowshahr and Amirabad to the ports of Astrakhan, Aktau, Makhachkala, Turkmenbashi and Baku in the Caspian Sea.

He added that nine Iranian vessels (of which seven belong to Khazar Sea Shipping Lines) are involved in transporting goods in the landlocked water.

The official noted that three new vessels will join the fleet in the not-so-distant future.

Dajmar lamented, “Ports in Caspian Sea littoral states fail to provide proper services to Iranian vessels. Our vessels have to dock up to ten days in these ports to manage to load or upload cargo.“

This is while officials in Iranian ports treat foreign ships and Iranian vessels equally, he stated.

The official blamed low duties and cheap fuel prices for reducing the competitive clout of Iranian vessels.

“Under the current condition, the company cannot pay loan installments of the vessels which are mostly new.“

Dajmar warned that if this trend continues, IRISL will be forced to suspend the operations of Iranian vessels in the Caspian Sea.