The India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), a SPV of India Ports Global Ltd in Iran, has taken over interim operation of the Chabahar Port in Iran w.e.f. December 24, 2018.
A MoU between IRCON and Construction, Development of Transport and Infrastructure Company [CDTIC] of Iran, for construction of Chabahar-Zahedan rail project, was signed during the PM’s visit to Iran in May 2016. As per the Joint Statement released by the MEA dated February 17, 2018 during the Iranian President’s visit to India, India conveyed its readiness to support the development of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail line.
Meanwhile, Iranian media has quoted a senior official of the country’s Ports and Maritime Organization as saying that the trilateral agreement between Iran, India and Afghanistan on transit of goods via Iran’s southeastern port of Chabahar requires the patronage of business and launching of direct services between Chabahar and India’s ports, as well as other ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
Some cargo has already been transported from India to Afghanistan via Chabahar, encompassing about 10 ships carrying wheat and beans, reports said.
It is also expected that Iran’s cooperation with India on the development of Chabahar Port will inspire further investments, and possibly trigger the return of international shipping companies to Iran, thereby increasing cargo traffic.
