India has supplied a consignment of two Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) to Iran’s Chabahar port, with a total contract value of over $25 Million under a contract agreement for supply of six MHC. The consignment of cranes, which arrived from Italy’s Marghera port, was unloaded successfully on January 18, 2021 at the Chabahar port. The cranes are currently undergoing trials run.
With a lifting capacity of 140 metric tons, the equipment will enable India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) to provide seamless services for container, bulk and general cargo at the Shahid Beheshti port, Chabahar. This step shows India’s commitment towards infrastructure development of the port.
The $85 million bilateral contract between the Iran and India was signed on 23 May 2016, for the equipping, mechanizing and starting operations at Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar development Phase- I. To achieve this ambitious aim, an Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) Mumbai was incorporated under the ambit of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Chabahar Port is a strategic port with great national importance. The delivery of consignment of heavy equipment, including cranes, shows India’s commitment to the strategic connectivity of Chabahar port project with the expectations that will provide access to markets in Central Asia. Development of the Chabahar port is the anchor for the expansion of economic and mutual relations between India and Iran, and it is hoped to give a further boost to the maritime trade between both countries.
The location of Chabahar Port has strategic advantage and high potential to provide connectivity and increase trade between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), especially the eastern CIS countries.
(Published from PIB)