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Iran's container handling capabilities boosted

Iran's container handling capabilities boosted

Dubai: Phase one development of the Shahid Rajaie Container Terminal (SRCT) project in Bandar Abbas, with a handling capacity of some 1.5 million teu, will open tomorrow. It will be the port's second container terminal and will form part of the SRCT facilities in the Bandar Abbas Shahid Rajaie Port Complex.

Shipping facilities in Bandar Abbas are divided into two sections: the new port named the Shahid Rajaie Port Complex (where all containers move through) and the old port called Shahid Bahonar.

The SRCT facilities are Iran's main container gateway, handling about 90% of the country's total throughput.

Data last year showed current capacity at Shahid Rajaie (Bandar Abbas) at about 1.8 million teu, according to the Iranian Ports & Shipping Organization.

Phase one and two developments are intended to boost the port's total capacity to some 3.5 million teu and then 6 million teu.

Phase one and two developments include the installation of new handling equipment along with the expansion of the port's operational areas and a deepening of draft levels to accommodate larger ships.

It is unclear when phase two will be operational since initial estimates had scheduled for phase one to come on stream early last year and phase two to be ready by 2009. [21/02/08]