Port of Chabahar

Port of Chabahar in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran, next to the Gulf of Oman.

The Port of Chabahar (or Chah Bahar) is a seaport in Chah Bahar in southeastern Iran. Its location lies in the Gulf of Oman. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean. The port was partially built by India in the 1990s to provide access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.[1][2]

The Indian-component of the port is also part of the Ashgabat agreement, signed by India, Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, for creating an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.[3]

Chabahar port history

The port of Chabahar is located in the south of Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Because of its establishments and ease of access to ocean as well as Oman Sea and Persian Gulf, long ago it was the centre of business, trade and navigation.

The master plan of the port of Chabahar was brought up in 1973, and its related contracts were signed with contractors. But for some reasons this plan was delayed after the Islamic Revolution, because of financial resources deficiencies. A part of this plan that contains quick berth and breakwater was started and finished.

Shahid – Kalantary port is one of two important ports in Chabahar. The executive operation of this port was started in 1981 and it became operational with the completion of four jetties in 1983. During the war between Iran and Iraq, the Iranian government noticed the important role of the port of Chabahar in Iran’s imports and exports, because of its unique characteristics such as being out of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. So, Shahid-Beheshti port was built and equipped as the most important port in Chabahar.

Geographical situation

The port of Chabahar is located in the south-east of Iran, north-west of the Indian Ocean, and north-east of the Oman Sea at 25°17′28″N 60°38′15″E / 25.29111°N 60.63750°E / 25.29111; 60.63750.

Railway network

The establishment of the port of Chabahar's connection to the country’s railway plan, is under study and consideration. With the completion of the Kerman–Zahedan railway and its connection to the port of Chabahar, this port will connect to the Trans-Iranian Railway.

Chabahar NSTC Integration

Boats anchored in Chabahar Bay.

India and Iran have a long-standing agreement, signed in 2002, to develop Chabahar into a full deep sea port.[4] The port pf Bandar Abbas port handles 85% of Iran's seaborne trade and is highly congested.[4] Whereas, Chabahar has high capacity with plans to expand it from its current capacity of 2.5 million to 12.5 million tons annually.[4][5] Unlike Bandar Abbas, Chabahar has the ability to handle cargo ships bigger than 100,000 tons.[5] Industry Analysts have highlighted there are long term plans to integrate Chabahar with the NSTC, "India is also eyeing trade with Europe via the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor".[4]

Climate

In general, the port of Chabahar is located in an area that has warm and humid summers and moderate winters.

Current Status

The Iranian government has signed a MoU with the Government of India to develop the Chabahar port. India will get direct access to Afghanistan through sea route after the completion of the project. The development will be done by floating a Special Purpose Vehicle which is aimed at investing $85 million for the development of the same.[2]

In Sept 2015, India announced development of Urea production plant and Iran's infrastructure. Indian minister of transport pledged to invest around $1 billion for the development.[6]

See also

References

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