The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines ranks 15th in Alphaliner’s rankings of prominent carriers in its Feb. 16, 2021, report, with a consolidated capacity of 151,706 TEUs.
IRISL was placed between Korea Marine Transport Company (KMTC Line) with a capacity of 161,367 TEUs and China-based Antong Holdings Company with a capacity of 144,316 TEUs.
IRISL operates a total of 47 vessels: 43 owned and four chartered ones. Its own and chartered capacities stand at 93,674 TEUs and 58,032 TEUs, respectively while its global market share is at 0.6%, Fars News Agency reported.
Among top 100 Iranian companies, IRISL is ranked 26th in terms of sales and revenues in the current fiscal year (ending March 20), registering an improvement of five places compared with last year.
IRISL Group ranks first in Iran’s transportation industry.
The top three shipping companies in the world, according to Alphaliner, are Danish Maersk with a capacity of 4,117,558 TEUs and a global market share of 16.9%, the Swiss Geneva-headquartered Mediterranean Shg Co with 3,869,196 TEUs and global market share of 15.9%, and China’s COSCO Group with 3,042,926 TEUs and global market share of 12.5%.
Iran’s Shipping Fleet Size Among Top 20
Managing Director of Iran's Port and Maritime Organization Mohammad Rastad said the country is among the top 20 countries in term of its shipping fleet with 300 oceangoing vessels.
"We have a significant number of regional fleets that mainly traverse the waters of Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, and they are used for exports, imports and cabotage [transferring goods between ports and Iranian islands]. Most of the fleets are owned by Iranian individuals and companies," Rastad was quoted as saying by Fars News Agency.
He added that at present, Iran has 6,000 registered traditional dhows, noting that 4,000 of them are operational.
Rastad said 300 oceangoing vessels are owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which sail in international waters.
"In terms of fleet capacity owned by Iranian companies, the Islamic Republic of Iran always ranks among the top 20 countries," he added.
Referring to hurdles in the way of Iran’s trade by US sanctions, the official had said earlier that “given the annual capacity of Iran’s ports of nearly 246 million tons … we have managed to supply all the needs of the country during the period that we have been facing a full-scale economic war in the exports and imports sector,” Rastad told FNA.
“The supply of basic goods did not stop despite heavy sanctions on the maritime organization, thanks to the success of Iran’s maritime sector,” he added.