Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) is turning to maritime diplomacy to fill unused port capacity and expand trade, its head, Mohammad Shakibi-Nasab, said in a meeting with Foreign Ministry economic diplomacy deputy Hamid Ghanbari and Iranian ambassadors abroad.
He said Iran’s ports have nominal capacity of about 302 million tons, but 50–55% has been idle in recent years. Introducing those capacities to target markets is key, he added.
Shakibi-Nasab argued that infrastructure without diplomacy and diplomacy without infrastructure cannot deliver results, calling for stronger coordination at home and with partner countries. Banking, insurance and investment remain major maritime-trade challenges. Iranian embassies can help promote investment and Iran’s role in the North–South and East–West corridors, he said.
The PMO has also begun port digitalization, with Bushehr Port as pilot.
Ghanbari announced a joint cooperation charter between the PMO and the Foreign Ministry to convert diplomatic and maritime capacities into specific, phased, trackable projects. Responsibilities will be clearly defined, and a follow-up mechanism is near implementation, he said. Ambassadors stressed mobilizing private-sector capacities and identifying new investment opportunities. They also urged more effective use of Iran’s missions to connect economic actors and help the private sector enter foreign markets. Follow-up meetings will continue.
