Grain Operator in Iran; From Time Management to Unloading and Loading Risks
Mr. Iraj Faghiri, CEO of Keihan Shiran Zarin Marine and Port Services Company
Prolonging the time of going back and forth and delaying the operations of the ships in the ports causes the increase of the cost for the ship owners, the sea freight rate and finally the cost of transportation and distribution of goods.
Finally, these costs weaken the competitiveness of developing countries in global markets.
Because the poor performance in the movement and transfer of cargoes causes the length of the ship’s stopping time at the dock and the increase of the time of being in the port.
On the other hand, the lack of efficient management makes the time of moving and transferring the cargo longer, and the long storage time will also lead to the payment of suspended fees for the cargoes. Therefore, usually the costs and port fees paid by the merchants of developing countries are more than those of developed countries.
The development of the infrastructure, technology, equipment, superstructure and backshore of the ports, in addition to increasing the capacity of the ports of our country, increasing the transit of goods and transshipment through these ports and improving our share of the existing goods market, will increase the willingness of investors and owners of goods to unload and load in this region.
Also, it can be effective to balance all port and marine services based on a reasonable tariff and with economic justification to attract customers and investors so as to create a strong driver in the region compared to competitors. Unfortunately, in this case, we are not in a good position compared to our regional competitors.
Creating a fair inspection structure and strictly monitoring the qualifications and expertise of investors, creating customer and investor protection laws, participation of investment companies such as banks and insurance institutions in equipping ports with modern methods and even if possible in the form of standards and extra-regional and international procedures, negotiating with the mother and big companies of the country, such as IRISL Group, NITC (National Iranian Tanker Co), or qualified private shipping companies and handing over part of the port berths to them for investment in that berth, such as buying equipment and building warehouses for their own goods, can be effective steps to improve the infrastructure of ports.
