Polmeh: The Private Sector in the Maritime Industry Stands on Its Own Feet
Sea News – Despite Iran’s ports having significant capacities, less than half of this potential is currently utilized. This situation not only prevents optimized economic productivity but also leads to missed major commercial and economic opportunities for the country. Developing and optimizing port usage is essential to provide solutions for increasing economic growth and enhancing the country’s maritime infrastructure.
According to the maritime economy newspaper Ekhtesad Saramad, the maritime industry, as a vital artery of the global economy, plays an unparalleled role in facilitating trade, cargo transportation, and cultural exchanges. Ports, as gateways for goods entry and exit, play a critical role in the global supply chain. Developing port infrastructure and improving efficiency in this area are essential factors for economic growth and sustainable development in countries.
However, Iran’s maritime industry faces numerous challenges. The potential capacities of the country’s ports are not fully exploited due to various reasons, including structural limitations, legal obstacles, and insufficient investment. This highlights the need for a review of management approaches and the adoption of measures to enhance productivity and attract both domestic and foreign investments. In today’s era, foreign investment is recognized as a key factor in developing various industries, including the maritime industry. Foreign investment not only provides the necessary financial resources but also facilitates the transfer of modern technologies, the enhancement of technical knowledge, and the improvement of management standards.
Challenges in Investment and Development of the Maritime Industry
Under these conditions, attracting international investors requires creating suitable platforms, removing legal barriers, and offering attractive incentives. Economic sanctions, as one of the major challenges facing Iran’s economy, have significantly impacted the country’s maritime industry. Sanctions have made access to advanced technologies, up-to-date software, and international markets difficult, increasing the cost of commercial activities. In such circumstances, relying on domestic capabilities, localizing technologies, and expanding regional cooperation are among the effective strategies to combat these challenges.
In addition to economic challenges, environmental issues are also of great importance in the maritime industry. Sea and air pollution resulting from shipping and port activities pose serious threats to human health and the environment. Therefore, adhering to international conventions and standards on environmental protection, adopting clean technologies, and developing green ports are measures that can help reduce the negative environmental impacts of maritime activities.
Given the importance of the maritime industry for the country’s economic and social development, policymakers, managers, and industry stakeholders need to deeply understand existing challenges and opportunities and offer innovative and sustainable solutions for the development of this vital industry. A detailed examination of statistics and figures related to the performance of the country’s ports and shipping, studying other countries’ experiences in maritime development, and evaluating government policies and programs in this area can aid in making informed and effective decisions.
To further examine the status of Iran’s shipping and ports and explore ways to develop the maritime economy, ports, and localization of marine equipment and ships, the maritime economy newspaper Ekhtesad Saramad interviewed Masoud Palmeh, Secretary-General of the Iranian Shipping Association.
Only 50% of the Capacity of Iran’s Ports Is Utilized
In an interview with Ekhtesad Saramad, the Secretary-General of the Iranian Shipping Association stated: “The development of port infrastructure is the responsibility of the government and requires government investment. Fortunately, in the current situation, Iran’s ports meet our current needs for carrying out maritime development missions and provide a basis for this effort.”
Palmeh added, “The ports we have are designed with the aim of transitioning to third-generation ports, offering significant capacities. However, due to various reasons, we are utilizing less than 50% of the ports’ capacities.” He explained that 50% of Iran’s port capacity remains unused, which indicates that instead of developing more ports, the focus should be on enhancing and expanding the efficiency of existing ports.
Palmeh noted that the private sector has various responsibilities in this regard, but implementing these measures to improve efficiency falls under the jurisdiction of the government, which must take the necessary steps to execute these programs. He further emphasized that increasing port productivity—both quantitatively and qualitatively—requires foreign investment. However, without creating an environment that encourages international partners to collaborate with Iran’s private sector, this potential cannot be fully realized.
The Secretary-General stressed that numerous obstacles hinder investment, particularly the lack of support from regulatory bodies. “If the necessary environment is created to ensure that foreign investors can confidently engage in logistics development activities in Iran, and if they are supported with all necessary government tools for maximizing productivity, we can foresee a bright future for expanding our activities, especially in terms of smart technology adoption and utilizing modern technologies,” he said.
Palmeh explained that sanctions have deprived the country of access to the latest port-related software and technologies that align with modern processes. However, Iranian specialists have managed to meet domestic needs by localizing these technologies. He continued, “If we aim to reinvent the wheel in every sector within the country, we will waste time and resources, ultimately handing over market opportunities to competitors.”
The Role of the Iranian Shipping Association in Maritime Policy-Making
Palmeh stated, “If the government creates the necessary software platforms—particularly regarding laws related to taxation, social security, and other relevant matters—it will be possible to facilitate business operations, maximize the utilization of Iranian human resources, and create productive employment and dynamic income-generating opportunities.”
In response to a question about the Iranian Shipping Association’s role in maritime policy-making, including environmental protection and pollution reduction, Palmeh said, “First, we should note that none of the governments that have come to power in the 46 years since the victory of the Islamic Revolution have acknowledged the private sector’s role in policy-making for the maritime and port sector.”
He added, “This is the greatest strategic mistake. The maritime sector is a vital component of the country’s development. Unfortunately, we have lost experts with international connections and valuable experience, and we have failed to utilize them to their full potential.”
Palmeh concluded that this has led to a visible gap in specialized decision-making in the port and maritime sectors. Therefore, it is essential for the government, considering the president’s promises, to make full use of consultants and experts who can leverage their experience to improve and reform the maritime sector.
