MSC Makes a Comeback to Iran

MSC Container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has returned to Iran following a 6-year suspension of services due to sanctions imposed against Iran which are now about to be lifted. Namely, MSC containership Domitille has berthed at the countrys port of Shahid Rajei, as disclosed by Ebrahim Idani, Director General of Hormozgan Province Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), cited by Mehr News Agency (MNA). According to Idani, the arrival of MSC Domitille heralds the beginning of weekly calls of MSC boxships at the southern Iranian port. The 9,400 TEU MSC Domitille, loaded with 1,162 TEU of cargo, came to the Iranian port from Shanghai. MSC had already expressed interest in making a comeback to Iran in July 2015 when the company’s CEO Diego Aponte visited Tehran, where he met with the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). MSC follows in the footsteps of top carriers such as French CMA CGM, United Arab Shipping Co, and China Shipping Container Line which brought their ships to Bandar Abbas on their Far East – Middle East service as of August, 2015. World Maritime News Staff