Iran-Russia economic ties enter ‘new phase’ with Caspian ship delivery: Envoy
A 7,200-ton cargo ship named "Sahel-e Khazar" (Caspian Beach) was officially delivered to Iran's shipping fleet Friday at the Lotus Special Economic Zone in Russia's Astrakhan Province, with Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali describing the event as a practical manifestation of Tehran-Moscow relations entering "a new phase of economic cooperation."
According to ISNA, the vessel was built by Lotus Shipbuilding Company and will operationally join the fleet of Caspian Shipping Company.
Technical documents for the ship were signed in the presence of officials from both countries, and the two sides agreed to continue technical and engineering cooperation in future projects.
The ceremony was held within the framework of ongoing maritime and commercial cooperation between Iran and Russia and concluded as one of the joint industrial projects between the two countries in the maritime transport sector.
At the ceremony, Modarres Khiabani, CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, highlighted the importance of developing maritime transport corridors.
According to Khiabani, the capacity of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines' fleet in the Caspian Sea has increased from 95,000 tons to 120,000 tons in recent years. With the addition of the "Sahel-e Khazar" vessel and two more ships to be built by Iranian shipbuilding companies by the end of 2026, the maritime transport capacity of Iran's Caspian fleet is expected to reach 150,000 tons.
The head of the Shipping organization, emphasizing the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), described increased maritime transport capacity as a prerequisite for developing this strategic route and announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, as the world's 17th largest container shipping company, is striving to enhance its role in strengthening economic relations between the two countries.