Iran Plans to Expand Its Naval Fleet with Arrival of 50 New Vessels

The director general of the Maritime Affairs Department of the PMO Allahmorad Afifipour said that the new plan to replace the 50 old ships of the PMO with new ones is going to be done with allocation of 60 trillion rials (Iranin currency).

He said that the plan is implemented in line with the goal modernization of the country's marine fleet and through the government budget in order to improve the popularization indicators of the economy and marine tourism.

“Safe maritime tourism and improving the safety of passenger and recreational vessels are among the most important programs of the PMO in this field,” the maritime official continued.

Afifipour went on to say that the new plan will help boost the local economy in the coastal areas. “Flourishing of the local economy for the people in the coastal areas, a reduction in marine accidents and an improvement in the safety level of marine tourism are some of the results of the plan to renovate the passenger vessels.

A tripartite memorandum of understanding for the replacement and construction of passenger vessels has been concluded between the Ports and Maritime Organization, the Industrial Modernization Organization and the Governorate, holding specialized meetings and identifying the characteristics, specifications and level of amenities of the vessel, and preparing three model vessel plans for replacement, among other measures.

Identification of competent ship-manufacturing companies and preparation of a model contract between the ship-makers and the customers for standardization, preparation of draft economic technical plans for the allocation of credits to ease and accelerate the process of completion of formalities are also other important measures, the PMO official added.

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