47% of Iran’s Port Capacity Unused: Challenges and Investment Opportunities in Basic Goods Import

According to statistics, the total amount of goods loaded and unloaded at the main ports of the Ports and Maritime Organization last year was 158 million tons, which includes exports, imports, transit, transshipment, and cabotage; of course, the largest volume is related to exports and imports.

According to statistics, the total amount of goods loaded and unloaded at the main ports of the Ports and Maritime Organization last year was 158 million tons, which includes exports, imports, transit, transshipment, and cabotage; of course, the largest volume is related to exports and imports.

Of these 158 million tons, petroleum product exports rank first with 54 million tons, followed by minerals and construction materials with 35 million tons, containers with 25 million tons, and basic goods with 24 million tons.

The unloading rate at the main ports of the organization last year was 68 million tons and the loading rate of goods was 90 million tons. We unloaded 22 million tons of basic goods and loaded 2 million tons. Of the 24 million tons of basic goods, the highest figure is related to Imam Khomeini Port with 14 million tons. Amirabad Port with 3.2 million tons and Anzali Port with 1.3 million tons are in the next ranks.

Private sector investment in Iranian ports reflects the sector’s willingness and confidence in developing port infrastructure. As of December 2024, more than 220 trillion Tomans in investment has been attracted in the form of 362 active contracts with the non-governmental sector in the country’s ports.