Iran to establish shipping routes to Africa

TEHRAN, July 23 (MNA) -- In line with efforts to boost non-oil exports and provide exporters services and facilities, regular shipping lines should be established between Iran and African countries by the end of August, the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) announced here on Sunday.

According to the plan, vessels will ply between Iranian ports and the African ports of Mombassa, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Dakar, and Lagos as well as a Moroccan port.

Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) is responsible for providing services and facilities to exporters and importers and transports over 22 million tons of cargo annually. IRISL has 112 oceangoing vessels, three regional offices in Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East, offices in Italy, Britain, Germany, China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Libya, and South Africa, and over 110 certified representatives across the world.