ContainersMiddle East

Diego Aponte in Tehran looking at post-sanctions opportunities

Dubai: Wasting little time to capitalise on the lifting of sanctions against Iran, Diego Aponte, the ceo of Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), was in Tehran yesterday to hold talks with his counterpart at Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), Mohammad Hossein Dajmar.

IRISL is gearing up to return to the international trades following Tuesday’s announcement in Vienna to lift sanctions against it and other Iranian organisations. According to local reports in Iran, Aponte said he was keen to cooperate with IRISL.

IRISL has a diverse fleet of some 115 ships totalling 3.3m dwt. It used to be one of the largest shipowners in the Middle East before sanctions stymied its growth.

Senior management at the line has indicated the fleet is ready to recommence trading with the EU straight away. Shipyards in East Asia will be marketing their products to IRISL in the coming weeks as the line looks to make up for lost time.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
Back to top button