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 6 MHC. The consignment of cranes arrived from Marghera port, Italy has been unloaded at at Chabahar port and is currently undergoing trial runs.
With 140 metric tonnes lifting capacity, multipurpose equipment and accessories, Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) will enable India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) to provide seamless services for container, bulk and general cargo at Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar.
This is a step towards India’s commitment towards infrastructure development of Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar.
India and the Islamic Republic of Iran signed the $85 million bilateral contract for equipping, mechanising and starting operations at Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar on 23 May 2016. To implement the contract an SPV called India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) Mumbai was incorporated under the ambit of the ministry of ports, sShipping and waterways.
Chabahar Port is a strategic port with great national importance for India, minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways Mansukh Mandaviya said, adding that India is committed to achieving strategic connectivity of Chabahar port that will provide access to markets in Central Asia. Development of Chabahar port is the anchor for the expansion of economic and mutual relations between India and Iran and it will give a further boost to the maritime trade between both the countries.
The location of Chabahar Port has strategic advantage and high potential to provide connectivity among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and other CIS countries, especially Eastern CIS countries, to increase trade between these countries.