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Sanctions force IRISL to look for new links through Reach Shipping Lines

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As container lines withdraw services from Iran in the face of sanctions IRISL is looking to maintain links with a new Chinese-based shipping line Reach Shipping Lines.

Reach Shipping Lines was set up in July by Shanghai-based Reach Group set up in 2017 a joint venture with IRISL to provide trading services and facilitate business cooperation between Iran and China, Alphaliner reported in its weekly newsletter.

Reach Shipping Lines has taken over four 14,508 teu newbuildings from IRISL to launch a service connecting Chinese ports with the Colombo, Sri Lanka, via Southeast Asia ports. The inaugural sailing on the service was made the vessel TenReach from Qingdao on 27 September.

“The launch of the Reach Shipping service is expected to be followed by revisions to IRISL’s existing Far East - Middle East services, which could include new connections between Colombo and Middle East ports,” Alphaliner said.

The changes to the services opearted by Hafiz Darya Arya Shipping (HDASCO) have yet to be announced.

The US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA) on Iran on 8 May resulting in two wind-down periods for existing business with Iran of either 90 or 180 days with major shipping lines such as MSC quickly moving to withdraw services.

Read more: Shipping companies stop Iran business as US indicates secondary sanctions are in effect