WITH ITS third sailing from Durban now on the log, the monthly service between SA and Iran by the Iranian national sea carrier, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), is now well under way.
This multi-purpose service using two vessels with capacity also for 230 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units), is primarily sailing between Durban and the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. But East African and Indian sub-continent ports are open for inducement.
But it's early times yet, according to Mahomed Kajee, Durban branch manager of agents King & Sons. So far, the main cargo has been breakbulk - the likes of ferro-manganese, he said. But we are maintaining our monthly schedule, and expect the market to become more aware of our presence. This should see other shippers taking advantage of our service, and additional cargo volumes (including containerised) begin to move. Working on promoting itself in the market, IRISL currently has line representative Goolam Shooli in SA - busy selling the line's services to brokers and traders in the local marketplace.
This, along with our own efforts to market this Arabian Gulf option, should soon see increased market perception, said Kajee.
