Iran Is To Launch Its First Container Ship

The first Iranian container ship is going to make a splash in the coming months. This is part of the project by Iranian Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Complex Company (ISOICO) to offer 5 container ships and 2 oil tankers in addition to other orders in hand. The orders are expected to be delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) according to scheduled time. The executive director of ISOICO Hossien Hassanzadeh announced that the thorough negotiations with the major producers of LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers concluded that Membrane type built by the French GTT would be the suitable kind and the manufacturing license acquisition contract was signed back in January 2003. Iran is the first licensee in the Middle East at present and it is anticipated that the sale growth of the company in the Fifth Socioeconomic and Cultural Development Plan (2008) would be at $914m. This would also create employment opportunities and pave the way for the domestic contractors to get involved in the projects to come, he added. As to the activities for this year (ending March 21, 2006), the production of 7,700 tons of various small vessels (barge and tug boats) and 28,000 tons in manufacturing of average size oil tankers and container ships are in progress. The repairs on 60 small and 40 average vessels are also underway, of which, the foreign ships comprise the main bulk, adding some currency revenue to the country's treasury, Hassanzadeh elaborated.