Iran’s ship-refuelling future looks bright
Iran says bunkering (refuelling of ships) in Iranian ports is 5-7 US dollar cheaper than the same service in UAE’s Fujairah port. "About 17 shipping companies are sailing to Iranian ports in Persian Gulf and this is a great opportunity to boost bunkering operations. International ships can refuel in Iran’s Qeshm port, 120 miles far from Fujairah, to get cheaper fuel," Iran Shipping Lines chairman Mohammad Saeidi said. Qeshm port’s bunkering facilities with 1 million tons capacity were inaugurated Jan.26. It should be noted that marine trade shares 85 percent of Iran’s total trade turnover with foreign countries. Just six countries, including UAE are responsible for almost sixty percent of global bunker sales, according to OPEC’s estimations. Iran was not included in this list. UAE’s Fujairah is the world's second largest bunkering port, with annual sales of around 24 million tons. Iran claims that the about 80 percent of bunkered fuels in Fujairah is of Iranian...